Carver First Time on UK Roads

I received the registration details from the UK Driving Vehicle & Licensing Authority (DVLA) this morning so got on the phone and sorted insurance. As soon as I'd done that I just had to take it for a quick spin.

[@99toon99]

Thank you for showing this and providing a really valuable real world test.

[@TheWelshman50]

Nippy as hell,nice turn of speed and you didn't stop smiling!

[@bruce350]

Looks like a bit of fun but as I live in hilly Devon I foresee many journeys where I almost grind to a halt. I'm not convinced I'd even be able to get up the hill to my home!

[@interspeciesfamily8043]

I saw one of these here in Cochem going up the valley road quite comfortably as I was walking my dogs and cat. I hadn't realised it would slow down quite as much uphill until your video, though only saw it from the front, it took the hairpin and then saw it from the back as it went up and away from us.

[@Stringbean421]

People keep going on about speed. Get a proper damn car or motorbike then. These are what they are. Some of us don't feel the need for speed and are happy for a nice little run-around getting us from A to B on little trips and for getting the groceries. These look fun and quirky and I'm in for getting one.

[@NigelPond]

Plus the new S+ goes 50MPH and has other refinements... might have to trade mine in for one 😁👍

[@hojo9115]

Looks like a lot of fun .

[@Foxbat320]

I like it

[@chriswright5191]

I actually think its a real nice piece of kit. Very slick design. Ive been wanting an EV for a long time now and this one, for the price tag looks dam good. I was wondering is there a speed restrictor on this model? Because the range seems quite good.

[@NigelPond]

On the version I have there is a way to de-restrict. It only gives you an extra 5 MPH though. Speaking with people who have a newer model the wiring has changed so may not be as simple... I think having a go in one gives people the best impression. Test drives are available nest weekend at the Fully Charged Show event in Farnborough 😁

[@deknip1]

Hi, I made a downpayment for a carver but I live in a quite hilly city. I saw your carver had a problem to keep the speed uphill. Was it a steap hill? Didn’t look that steap to me. Carver guarantees 39km/h with a weight of 170 kg at an angle of 5 degrees.

[@NigelPond]

Just tried to find the gradient of the exact hill in Google earth but couldn't figure it out... The hill is about a 25 meter climb...

[@deknip1]

Hi Nigel, I canceled my purchase..Could you check some hill somewhere around you and check what the speed does? At 10% it should still go 27km/h. These are carver’s official data

[@NigelPond]

@@deknip1 sorry to hear that but understand. I will take it for a ride this afternoon and use my cycling app to collect some data...

[@NigelPond]

@@deknip1 New video uploaded trying to show the impact of hills but the hills I traveled weren't really big enough to provide conclusive results... will try again on some bigger hills...

[@missionDan]

Is that 50kmph?? Whats the point of this thing? Is the petrol one fast? I mean needs 70mph minimum

[@NigelPond]

But you're still watching the videos.... There's a 50mph version. It's very much a city car.

[@annoniem2566]

Does the range really get to 70km?

[@NigelPond]

I believe it can achieve nearly 100km. My range test showed around 80km and I was mostly on open roads with the throttle wide open 👍☺

[@annoniem2566]

@@NigelPond thank you

[@inekeoostenvanmeer1407]

Can you read it of the battery is to low?

[@NigelPond]

Sorry, not sure what you mean. You can see the state of charge on the dashboard. There are actually two graphs that show it.

[@velianlodestone1249]

Definitely software locked, max speed is 50km/hr which is ~ the same as a scooter, going downhill I think it's actually applying the brake

[@NigelPond]

I think you're right. There does seem to be an artificial slowdown. But I doubt there's much more power available in the 2x2kw motors... really looking forward to the 5kw ones to arrive from China

[@JonseyWales]

Sorry, but that 30 mph top speed is simply too slow for serious use outside of the urban/inner city environment imho.

[@russianaircraft376]

if it is something you really desire it is possible to upgrade it to 45 but you lose your guarantee on maintenance

[@russianaircraft376]

and it is also possible to get battery extension to almost double the range

[@smallpox2894]

I take it you wouldn't need a full licence do drive this?

[@NigelPond]

In the UK I believe anyone over the age of 17 with a provisional license and they've passed their CBT can drive it.

[@smallpox2894]

@@NigelPond thought as much, hoping a uk dealer will pop up soon, quite like it

[@NigelPond]

@@smallpox2894 rumours are they are looking for UK distribution. Something could happen August/September this year...

[@zenzen9131]

Nice concept but 30mph is too slow to be safe when on my rural roads here :(

[@NigelPond]

Agree. The new Carver S+ does 50mph which is much better.

[@zenzen9131]

@@NigelPond 50mph would be ideal for me :)

[@NigelPond]

@@zenzen9131 check out CarverElectric.co.uk for more details 😁

[@estefaniamejialopez1173]

Cuanto cuesta esta moto

[@NigelPond]

For prices in Euros see carver.earth

[@Sparky-Tim]

What a shame 😟 Such a great looker from the outside, but inside, just cheap & nasty plastic. Sounds like your driving a 3 wheeled milk float. ☹️

[@NigelPond]

Calling it a milk float is a harsh IMHO. It's still a lot of fun, turns heads and gets me from A to B. Couldn't justify a second car but this works for us.

[@Sparky-Tim]

@@NigelPond Sorry Nigel, it was meant as a tongue in cheek comment. No offense was meant by it. I remember when the first Carver appeared on Top Gear (many years ago), as a motorbike rider, i thought this was the way forward in personal travel. I wanted it so much, but couldn't afford it. Seeing a new electric version coming out (at a reasonable price) i was taken back to those first thoughts. It IS a shame (for me anyway) that it doesn't live up to those memories, & too many corners have been cut (pardon the pun) with the final production model. I (for one), would rather spend that bit extra for a better finnish & layout inside. Hard cheap plastic seats in such a futuristic vehicle are a definite no no for a start. I don't doubt you turn heads & have a great time driving it. If a kit version was available so upgrades can be made, then i'd definitely be interested. 👍😎

[@NigelPond]

@@Sparky-Tim No worries 😁👍 they've positioned it as a small, cheap city car and I too was a little disappointed when I first test drove it but I thought (naively) that I could modify it... I have the new motors but until I get them I don't know they're going to work. Fingers crossed I can get 45 mph 🤞😁

[@Sparky-Tim]

@@NigelPond it's not the speed but the enjoyment in doing the journey that matters.😁

[@carverownersclub]

Hi Nigel suggest you title your Comments as Carver Earth or Electric Carver as we have all had our Carver on the UK roads for 13+ years so not the first on UK roads ;-)

[@ADOENDRA]

A wheelbarrow is cheaper and haves more comfort :-)