Test Riding the Nimbus One - a Futuristic 3 Wheeled Compact EV | RunPlayBack 

imbus one do you need a license?

I agree!

Yeah, I was impressed by the design! 👍

Yeah! If they can hit that launch date and projected retail price I think it'll take off. I had a really good time riding it. I actually wish I had more practice to really get a feel for whipping it around the track. I think I was be extra cautious.

@@RunPlayBack agree 💯. Looks like a fun ride! Hopefully you can do another update closer to their launch!

@@ErockRodz Yup I definitely plan to follow up!

Awesome! Yes I agree. Something like this would work great as an alternative to a second car or as a more robust option than an ebike.

Any time! Happy to help!

I agree with you! This is a perfect vehicle that fills the gap between a car/truck and a motorcycle.

The American personal car addiction is harder to kick than a heroin habit. Electra Meccanica just gave up because of lack of interest due to people hooked on over sized steel caged climate controlled lounge couches. I got my Arcimoto 16 months ago and just preordered a rental from Nimbus. It will come out in the next decade what a huge mistake those large obscenely over powered Teslas were. Each one contains enough materials to make 6 Nimbus Ones. So which one is sustainable and does not squander battery minerals?

Great to have you on our pre-order list! We are diligently working towards production and expect to have an update for everyone soon.

Thanks! Looking forward to seeing these on the streets soon and practical use reviews.

That's great feedback! I'm pretty sure they are looking at the UK as one of the launch countries.

They are totally different vehicles for different purposes.

@@arlenbell4376 Yes, but with the speed that the nimbus s can go, it's closer to a multi-purpose vehicle. All of these electric two seaters have their benefits, but a vehicle that can tick all (or most of) the boxes is what is needed in our market would be optimal. People don't want to have two vehicles (one for the city, and one for the motorway); they want one ring to rule them all. If Aptera were to have a narrower tilting two seater but engineer in the aerodynamics, solar capability and safety of the Aptera, it would be a win. I'm also interested in the idea of the city transformer (and a few other vehicles with adjustable wheelbases.. An Aptera/Nimbus style vehicle with a speed adjusting wheelbase could morph between small city car and and a larger, faster motorway/highway car. I know that something like that would have to compromise on weight, range and efficiency (ie. you wouldn't get 1000miles on one charge), but If I were an engineer developing these things, that would be the vehicle I would want to try to make.

Thank you!

Totally agree. And yeah that One S looks awesome. I'd love to test ride it next!

Agreed. I put a deposit down on the One S and would love to test it when available. I sold my Tesla Model 3 Performance to invest in more TSLA, but now that my girlfriend and I share a Model 3 I'm looking for something like the Nimbus One to tool around when she's out somewhere with the car. Plus, I know I'm going to love the lean given my motorcycle experience.

I think the One S doesn’t have the removable battery feature 😮

You're right. Hopefully the battery technology improves to make these more affordable.

I would not expect the incentive to apply to a 10k EV autocycle.

Haha yes! I remember that!

Yes. That was the Tango from Commuter Cars. Tango is more expensive, has four wheels, highway-capable. goes much faster, and has full roll cage for safety.

That's awesome! I can't wait for launch!

That would be great!

Good idea. A Gold Wing or Harley seems longer so there should be room to grow.

A single-seater with cargo would be great, but it needs a rear-accessible storage area too (like the SOLO). The SOLO really did this quite well, but I love the look and smaller size of the Nimbus and the fact that it leans like a motorcycle. So cool.

I think only one person.

Agreed. It's a perfect vehicle for the city I live in as well. I would say the steering wheel and the self tilting are the main factors that separate it from the feel of a 3 wheeled scooter. I think mileage will vary on how natural it feels while driving.

Me too!

Indeed!

Do you know by any chance if they are planning to bring it to the UK or Europe or if that is too problematic because of regulations or something?

@@03markimark I think there are plans but I'm not exactly sure what they had said at the time regarding regulations in the UK or Europe. I'd contact the company directly for more details.

Yeah I'm not sure this would be the best type of EV vehicle at those speeds. Definitely would feel sketchy on a highway. I think it's probably more useful if you lived in or near dense city limits.

I have a smart 453 gas and love it and would buy this too.

@@RunPlayBack I think it would be exhilarating on the freeway. Living on the edge. When in doubt throttle out

I just checked the Nimbus website. They have an option for the "One S." It should have a 75mph top speed. Available in Q1 2024, but it sounds promising.

Great points! The rear racks on the exterior could potentially double as larger storage space depending on how you mount it. On the website they feature a mockup of a large surfboard strapped to the roof and a cooler sitting on the rear rack. So I think there should be a few exterior options for carrying larger items. You would probably have to get creative with mounting instruments but I'm sure it could be done.

You might be talking about the Arcimoto FUV

There's the Arcimoto FUV and the Electra Meccanica SOLO. If it had motorcycle controls it was the FUV.

Haha that would be awesome terrain to ride around!

Me too! 👍

Agreed!

Speed is factored in so you can't just go full lean at a stop. Need more lean with more speed, just like a motorcycle, or put a different way, need to have more speed with more lean. Works out the same. I would love to see more lean angle too (up to 45°) but I'm sure the people at Nimbus have very good reasons for limited it to 33°.

If you have the 4 battery pack option, then yes you would need to charge all 4 individually. We don't know for sure if they are wired in series or parallel, or what kind of battery management system they are using. Based on what we do know about running multiple batteries, is that they need to be at the same or similar voltage level. However, this is all speculation at this point. If you really want to know, you can contact them directly -- nimbusev.com/pages/about

There's a few compact EV's being developed right now but this definitely felt very close to completion. If the projected retail price remains during launch, I can see this taking off very quickly.

Likely the ElectraMeccanica Solo

Haha yeah it would be interesting if you can customize the dot matrix in the front.

He mentioned it had Level 2 charging, so 220V

We need a video of you riding in the back.

@@RunPlayBack I'll be your cargo

@@bendyarms GrubHub Duo

Me too! Although the doors weren't on yet so what you're hearing during the test drive is a lot of exterior noise mixed with wind noise.

I'm not 100% sure how the airbag system works. I'm not even sure if it was installed on this particular prototype.

I would have really seen it with the doors on! No heater/A/C?

There's only so much we can accomplish in a few hours. If I had it for a week that's a different video.

@@RunPlayBack You did a great job given the time.

This is great honest and really helpful feedback. I will heed the advice and try better on the next run. Much appreciated 🙏

Haha yup!

I will try my best!

@@RunPlayBack Thank you! I’ve seen a few similar offerings out there from Helix, Arcimoto, Electra Meccanica, etc.

@@gx12 There are well over 100 videos on the Arcimoto which I have owned for the last 16 months. Electra Mecchanica just shut down production. There are more click bait videos on vehicles you can't get, or vehicle prototypes, than there are legit videos about what you can actually buy here in the States. Aptera is in danger of becoming another Elio.

@@popeyegordon Arcimoto is high on my list, though I haven’t checked to see what it’s classification is in BC. What are your thoughts on it having used it? I hadn’t heard of Elio, have they stalled? I was looking at Veemo but they seem to be bankrupt.

@@gx12 You can't get an Arcimoto with warranty service in BC. They are offering some used ones now as Arcimoto updates its rental fleets with 2023 models. But you gotta have a way to get warranty service or it can become a useless scrap pile on wheels. An EV repair shop in BC couldn't help you much without the proprietary Arcimoto diagnstics and parts list. Seems like I do recall one BC buyer who trucks his FUV back to the US for service. Elio is a joke about a past folly in which they accepted pre-orders but never went into production. You can search for videos on Elio. The Electra Mechanicca Solo also ceased production recently.

As mentioned, this was a prototype/test model. Production models will differ somewhat, obviously. This was filmed back in July 2022, and their US deliveries start in Q3 of 2023. We'll try to do a follow up and test out a closer to production model. In the meantime, you can follow their progress/updates via their website.

Who cares about some motor and gear noise when there is no exploding fossil fuel many times each second? Not me. I love the jet turbine whine of my Arcimoto's twin motors.

AC/Heat wasn't on in the prototype I tried out. Sharp turns are pretty stable, you just have to get used to the auto leaning.

Thanks for watching! Yes LiFePO4 is better but also larger and slightly heavier. That would affect storage space and range.

Shipping is Q3 2023 for the base model in the U.S., Q1 2024 for the Nimbus One S in the U.S.

The Nimbus has regenerative braking. More technical data will be available as we get closer to the launch.

No option for the Carver here in the States, and the Carver EV is super slow. 30-35mph top speed. That's too slow in the States, even for surface streets.

Nah not really..didn't bother me too much.

I've already submitted this idea to Nimbus but that HUGE windshield wiper needs to be removable, especially for us in SoCal where it rains maybe 6 days a year.

Competition is good for the consumers!

@@RunPlayBack Customers. How do you consume something like this?

In this video, it was just a prototype first look. Based on what we discussed with the Nimbus team at the time, this EV is designed for urban commuters in warm areas. You do have some valid questions that should to be directed as feedback to the Nimbus team. We haven't had a chance to follow up with them ourselves. However, since they are fairly local to us, we may check in again with them in the near future. Thanks for watching!

Well of course it is not a family type vehicle with one and a half seats! Duh! Motorcyclists can use snow tires with studs or even spikes when needed. It is no challenge to design the heater with variable power output for heating and defrosting such a tiny cockpit. Covering the Nimbus when snow is likely, with a snug cover is so easy because it is so small with no protrusions. The safety of driving this on ice and snow is much greater than with any 2 wheeled motorcycle or scooter. That's not your problem, the question is how cold resistant the batteries are. Below freezing it would be smart to store and charge them indoors and not expect to have much power when they are cold. In Florida my concern is the AC.

Hard to say without test driving it in those conditions. Pot holes and wind shouldn't be an issue. Snow is another thing. We get harsh winters in MI and there are days I wouldn't drive my full size SUV in.

@@RunPlayBack I've felt my car get pushed around the lane from strong enough winds. So I'm not quite sure what happens in something this small. I'm not expecting this thing to handle like a 4x4 in a blizzard but, I don't know about 1 drive wheel being enough in what I would consider typical winter driving conditions of maybe an inch or less. I'm also concerned with where you take something like this for repairs. I'm probably more likely to consider getting something like this on a lease or what they called rent so I don't have to deal with this thing when it's 5 years old. Though I really like the removable batteries in regard to longevity of the vehicle.

@@RunPlayBack if it's light it should ride right over snow

Three wheels is definitely a drawback in snow, but honestly there aren't any doors - cold weather will pretty much stop you from taking this in the ❄️.

@@alwaysplaythegame ​the doors weren't on this prototype version..but there will be doors. :)

I agree. I think it will depend on their rollout. Being very close to Ann Arbor would be a solid testing ground.

I ordered one today. From what I read they will deliver to any part of the U.S.

Just a car license

All 50 states have different laws for autocycles and most are way overdue for an update to include this new class of vehicle. Some still require a helmet which is silly. Some still require the MC endorsement which is also silly for this design. Check your state first. I just did the rental pre-order.

Good questions, we haven’t had a chance to follow up with them but perhaps in the next video we can get more specific questions like this answered. This was an early prototype model we tested.

Arcimotos get a very reasonable 80 miles at 50 mph. I have had mine at 84 mph one time to test the limit but after 16 months I have still never run the battery down more than half way. If you are a lead foot and insist on pushing the speed limit everywhere you will not be happy with any EV. We should not be going 75 any more. Ever. Put simply, we must change or die.

@@popeyegordon Interesting. I talked to a guy who I met in a parking lot getting in his FUV maybe a year ago - maybe 2. He told me he was lucky to get 40 miles range on the highway. This was in the SF Bay Area. eg: Not cold temps. Here, you can't do 50 on the highways. You'd get rear-ended or shot, and there's a minimum speed limit. I'd go insane driving 50. I do a comfortable 65-75 all the.time, like most people. The speed limit is 65. For. me, 40 mile range on the highway is a deal breaker. If I want to stay closer to home, I can use my ebike. Or my Bolt EUV. The FUV is for "fun", but that includes going up and down the coast, and that typically means 55-65 on Rte 1, at least. 65-70 in spots. My sister lives down the coast about. 55 miles. If I can't make it to her house, then it's a desal-breaker. Battery tech will improve. I can see something like this in 5 years, maybe. I do like the Helix, as well - and it gets...200 miles? 150? Something like that. Granted, they haven't started production, still.

@@knotatraitor Now you have talked to a guy with a 2022 Arcimoto. I say your guy was lying. I have done 40 miles and got back with a 55% charge. Arcimoto commuters do more than that regularly without having to charge at work. You absolutely CAN do 50 on highways and have a positive effect on traffic as you get them to slow down to a sensible speed, while obeying any minimum speed restrictions that are typically 45 mph. Nothing is comfortable about 75 mph. That's called acclimatization to a hazardous condition. Route 1 is routinely driven by slow motor homes taking in the view, and many bicyclists. I have driven it 3 times. Route 1 in is notoriously NOT a fast highway and is curvy as hell. What you are insisting on is having it YOUR way only, forget everyone else including the sister you are stealing resources from, plus all future generations. Your ilk will be put under control by a Draconian carbon or mileage tax. Responsible people get the prodeedings from the penalties you will pay until you can't afford it any more. Then and only then will you wake up to your own responsibility.

@@popeyegordon Wow. You must be very familiar with the middle finger of other drivers. The highways were DESIGNED to be driven at 70mph. I have driven nothing but all-electric cars since my 2015 Spark EV that got 82 miles of range. That's very SELFISH abs CONDESCENDING of you to subject everyone to your ideals. Especially someone like me. You have no idea all the things I do daily to conserve energy and water and minimize landfill. I also work from home full time since COVID hit. You sounds like a grumpy old man. Lighten up. Go a little faster and stop pissing off everyone stuck behind you. Not everyone is retired.

It has no pedals, is more of a sit down motorcycle/scooter than a bicycle. It will require a drivers license to operate legally. I assume regen braking will be included as typical for EVs.

You won't find any vehicles without regen now unless they are just bicycles. My Arcimoto divides up stopping power between the hydraulic foot brake and a little trigger in the handlebar for regen.

The Nimbus has regenerative braking.

The "One" trim goes up to 50mph, and the "One S" trim goes up to 75mph, check out their website -- nimbusev.com/

I think it would be like ping-pong on an icy road here

Maybe one day!

I reserved one and I’m in Anchorage. I promise I will ride it in the snow and ice.

Michigan

I think it was the camera mount. I couldn't hear it while driving.

The noise level will definitely be improved for our production vehicles. The noise for the in-vehicle videos is also magnified through the camera mount.

Perhaps it wasn't the best way to describe it. There are sensors in the vehicle that sense my weight transfer that in-turn adjust the leaning of the vehicle. Does that make sense?

@@RunPlayBack so like does it senses you're leaning to help you not tip over?

I wholeheartedly agree!

🙌

Certainly would be interesting to see if we start seeing these populating our roads! I think they would be great fit in small communities and maybe even major metro cities.

What were the squeaky noises during the test drive? It would have been nice to see it so some left and right turns on the test track to simulate, city street tight turns. I saw this at the San Diego EV show in 2022 and it impressed me more a more practical three wheeler than the Archimoto FUV and Solo, both of which I test drove and the Aptera, which Inalso like, but might be too big and pricey, for what most people need.

i-road was flawed in its design. It wouldn't surprise me if this suffered from similar flaws. Vehicles like this are very tricky to control in emergency, high roll rate transitions. On a bike, people blame the biker, if similar happened on this I imagine it might result in company breaking litigation.

Hard to say, I'd need to test ride the Arcimoto to have a better opinion.

Price def. Big 10k difference tho

They're very different. The Nimbus leans into corners and has a short wheelbase and awesome design. The FUV does not lean. Which would you prefer? For me, the leaning is key, like the Carver One or Carver EV. The FUV is very long, and it's just under 18K (starting price). A lot more expensive, and about the same range. I'm an FUV and TSLA investor but man the Nimbus just looks incredible....because of the small size, fully-enclosed cabin, minimalist and futuristic design, and it LEANS. Easy decision.

I would love to see Sandy review it. Wasn't too keen on Carl's review. Left way too much out.

I see little conflict here. The FUV has bike controls, doesn't lean, is very long, and way more expensive. About the same range. I checked out the FUV but I really love the leaning capability of the Nimbus, similar to the Carver One/EV I've been admiring for years.

Nah, this micro-EV can not be directly compared to the 2 seat 1300 pound double bucket seated Arcimoto. Apples and oranges in performance, size and speed.

I'm not sure, I assume so if their US domestic launch goes well.

1. Did you see the Passenger Demo chapter? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gChcUB57q9Y.html 2. Yes, this is an early prototype, so the doors were not installed at the time of the recording.

Should be comfortable in the driver position, but not as passenger

🙌

Not sure, this was a prototype/test model

Not sure?, this was a prototype model

Yeah I agree!

Yes I believe they will have AC in the final version.

Air conditioning is an optional feature.

I agree with you. Although I would say having no doors installed yet probably exaggerated the volume of the motor.

There is also the noise of the video drone running along side.

Nimbus One: 50mph / 80km/h Nimbus One S: 75mph / 121km/h

@@NicMediaDesign Thank you.

@@gphilipc2031 You're welcome

Yeah I think so..maybe not as a passenger but definitely as a driver.

To be fair prices have gone up that much or more for all vehicles over the same time period (even more so for electric ones). So it's not just these pre production start ups raising prices. That said, I bet it does continue up to at least 12k starting and 14k with bare minimum options that most people will want.

Everything is going up in price because the U.S. dollar is being devalued. Thank your government and the Federal Reserve for debasing your currency. Don't blame companies for being forced to raise prices to stay in business.

10k is VERY inexpensive for what you get.

It's still looking good to me. This is where the EV revolution should be (small nimble vehicles) not with forcing car drivers to scrap their half-used petrol/diesel cars in favour of yet more expensive electric cars which actually have a huge carbon footprint. Until there are better batteries which are more eco-friendly, plus the non-fossil-fuel sources to charge them, large EVs will not be a valid solution. Micro EVs do make sense.

@@Zoco101 Did I say they don't? I just don't think this particular vehicle is all it's cracked up to be, given its numerous broken promises, changing specs and lack of staff experienced in the auto industry. Were you a cheerleader for the Elio, too? Still waiting for that one after 14 years.

That's fair. Care to elaborate a little more?

@@RunPlayBack the Arcimoto is a little more sporty I think this one would suit the older generation it doesnt seem to have that play fun feel about it more Grandma shopping trolley, sorry ✌

@@RebelsInc969 Yeah I can see that. I dunno all of these things feel a little goofy to me but that's part of the charm I guess.

No way. I'm an FUV investor but it's a totally different class of vehicle. The FUV doesn't lean. Huge difference. FUV has motorcycle-style controls, is super long, and the cheapest version is $17,900 compared to the cheapest Nimbus which is under $10,000. The Nimbus One is under 14K and gets to 75mph, and probably has more range than the FUV (don't know details yet). The important bit here is that the Nimbus leans into corners, as it should be, and this allows it to have a much shorter wheelbase. Plus, it's fully-enclosed with doors on.

The noise level will definitely be improved for our production vehicles. The noise for the in-vehicle videos is also magnified through the camera mount.