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In this Edition August 2011 |
LEAD FEATURE |
COMPANY NEWS |
MATERIALS NEWS |
MACHINERY NEWS |
INJECTION MOULDING ASIA |
 RUBBER JOURNAL ASIA |
| ELECTRONIC ISSUE |
PRA August 2011 Electronic Issue Now Available |
Injection Moulding Asia
Plastic three-wheelers taking shape in Europe
T
hree-wheelers are a popular mode of transport in Asian countries like India, the Philippines and Thailand. Taking a cue from this low-cost form of transportation, Austrian motorcycle producer KTM, along with the Austrian Institute of Technology and industrial design firm Kiska, has introduced an all-electric three-wheeler.While the Asian three wheelers are mainly used as low-cost taxis, in Europe, their intention is very much different! Known as E3W, the two-seater comes with a 20 hp electric motor and draws power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Plastics have been used extensively in the body, allowing for a lightweight body that means the E3W weighs just 500 kg, which allows for a range of 100 km on a full charge. It is also 230 kg lighter than Daimler's Smart Fortwo city car.
The three-wheeler is designed to be practical and to be able to tackle inter-city commute with minimum environmental impact. However, with its stylish exteriors and Lamborghini-inspired scissor doors, the E3W is seen as a rival to the Renault Twizy and a far cry from the three wheelers that exist in Asia!
According to reports, KTM says it is looking at a production run from 2013 starting at around £4,500.