Getting to know the Carver

The wife and I took the Carver out for a quick spin around town. It's the first time she's driven it since we got it.

[@devtank]

Very helpful mate. Video shows a good indication of what it might 'feel' like to drive one.

[@prernac6862]

I so wanna own this thing. It's awesome.

[@1minutecomicswalahollywood648]

This car Carver Electric drives me crazy.

[@spacep0d]

I want one in SoCal, U.S.A.! I've been following this vehicle and company for years. Would love to try it.

[@NigelPond]

Not sure they're coming to the US anytime soon check out the Nimbus EV. Looks like a better product overall IMHO.

[@spacep0d]

@@NigelPond Thanks Nigel!

[@spacep0d]

@@NigelPond Thank you Nigel! I just put a deposit down on a Nimbus One S!!!! :)

[@velianlodestone1249]

I've been debating with myself whether this trike/car/motorcycle/thingemajig was right for me, as I'm very enthusiastic about these kind of vehicles. Currently the cons outweigh the pros, the car is too expensive (10.000 euro's in addition to the tax making it expensive, although I believe you could have avoided the double tax situation). The car has got a lot of unsprung weight, causing a very rough ride on UK roads, particularly when the rear wheels hit a pothole. I also don't believe these shocks are very good for the battery in the long term. The roads in the Netherlands are significantly higher quality than our roads which make it work there, but a lot harsher here. Lack of mountains too so the motor can get away with being objectively under-powered. Even with these downsides, this is the best production vehicle of it's type in Europe no doubt, but I do wish that Toyota had continued to pursue the iRoad. You are right though in another comment, with 2+2Kw motor's - a weight of 643 kg + passenger (~70) is 700kg give or take, it's not light, converting to 5.5 horsepower. Even if it was unlocked it wouldn't go substantially faster. Have you gotten any further in trying to figure out the mechanical limitations of the vehicle?

[@NigelPond]

I agree with 99% of what you say. Only the wheels are unsprung and as it's such a light vehicle this shouldn't be an issue. New springs have been ordered - they're adjustable so I should be able to find a good setting... I think the biggest problem with the suspension is that the rear wheels aren't independent of each other. The rear axle is one piece. I may look to rectify this in the future. I'm waiting for software and adapter from Carver to do the kmh to mph conversion. When I have this I hope to get some visibility to the kelly controller settings. I've also got two 5kw motors coming from China...

[@briannugent5518]

I have quite enjoyed watching all your Carver videos!. I'm a retired Brit living in Massachusetts for 30 yrs so its very pleasant to be reminded of driving on English roads and seeing the many changes. I gave up owning a car some years because I live so locally in a small country town and an electric assist Cruzbike recumbent suffices for me but is limited to fair weather. Even a small hatchback car is now too much car for me footprint wise, so of all the interesting new 3 wheel electric vehicle designs, the Carver is the most appealing should it ever become available in the US. Some questions: 1) Is the battery typically charged to 90% or 80% or so of max capacity to double or quadruple the battery pack life cycle as with Teslas and Nissan Leafs, 2) is regeneration used to help braking and recover a little energy?, 3) are the windshield and side windows acrylic or regular safety glass, 4) are the body panels plastic or metal?, 5) can you coast down hills faster than the max motor speed (ie no regen) and do steeper hills significantly slow you down even to half way?. Thanks for your videos!.

[@NigelPond]

Hi Brian, Thanks for the message. Are the roads as bad as you remember? ;) 1. The batteries are lithium iron (LiFePO4) which have more life cycles than lithium ion. They're not as powerful or power dense tho. 2. There's no discernable regen although I read the Carver was capable of it... Will need to look into it... 3. The front and side windows are safety glass. The windshield is also heated. The rear is clear plastic. 4. The body panels are plastic. 5. No, you can't coast. This is a little annoying; it feels like there's a software speed restriction happening and you can't go over the max speed even when going downhill... might be regen but doesn't feel like it. Glad you're enjoying the videos! Best Regards, Nigel

[@briannugent5518]

@@NigelPond I've considered making a LiFePO4 pack for that very reason. My Li-ion pack degraded quickly because I didn't initially know about its charge discharge behaviours. I sort of remember UK roads being variably bad. Its the same here but we deal with frost heaves from much colder winters. My fond memories are more about the quaint English countryside, the narrow winding roads and the greenness being more year round. Thus I watch a lot of European recumbent bike ride videos too as my virtual escape to Europe. Since your prevented from coasting, then regen is occurring and I'd say that s appropriate for a more car like vehicle to keep control. Alas physics dictates regenerated energy is a fraction of the extra energy to ascend the same elevation change. The battery bar display isn't granular enough to show any recovered energy but it is happening. I think you and your wife made a very good investment and the fun element is priceless!.

[@nabz0008]

Only the Dutch could design and make something like the Carver car.

[@WhiteMouse77]

....if your job is only several avenues from your neighbourhod and where conects 1 bus a day +local winters are snowless........yeah..this the solution even if making daily shopping yo store in back seat.. ....

[@tonydee981]

Really enjoyed the drive around the local area. Interesting to hear the "tilt alert".The road surface was a little uneven, what was your impression on the ride, with respect to a four wheel vehicle? Definitely sounds like the London Underground

[@NigelPond]

Thanks Tony. The ride is firm. Having discussions to replace the rear shocks and put in a more comfortable seat. It's fine in stock form if your just using it as a run-about but I always intended to modify... difficult to compare with a car because of the single front wheel, it's more akin to a scooter.

[@MiniLemmy]

Hi Nigel! The version of the Carver I saw on Top Gear had red and green tilt warning lights - couldn’t see them on this vid so I was wondering if this version of the Carver had them - also, have you done a full tilt turn in it? How scary was it if so?

[@NigelPond]

Hello 😁, we don't have warning lights but we do have an alarm that buzzes when you're either leaning too far or two quickly. I have had the alarm sound quite a few times but it's never felt unsafe. I think I need to do a video on it but first I will need a way of measuring the tilt angle... good question, thanks! You've given me an idea for my next video! 😁

[@mino73T11]

Thanks for the video. I understand the purpose of making things compact despite the same weather protection as a car, however I'd be a little concerned about what it may happen in case a brief loss of grip, or in a very windy day, or in an emergency braking (especially along a turn). What are your feelings about it? Thanks in advance.

[@NigelPond]

Hi, I don't really have enough experience with it yet to know for sure. It does feel very stable considering it's got just the one small from wheel. I've not yet reached a limit Where It felt unsafe... there are pictures in the net of one that toppled over when it hit a curb but that may have been before they increased to width by 10cm...

[@mino73T11]

@@NigelPond thanks for the reply! I guess those 10 cm make the difference!

[@lordsirnoelmanchester3592]

Thanks for a test drive in a virtual ride. This could be the most efficiently looking design EV scooter or better call it Carver. How much is it?

[@NigelPond]

You're very welcome 😁 The price is around €10k

[@wongpohchan9485]

It seems to be moving quite fast.

[@Foxbat320]

I drive an electric motor cycle . The engine hum is really relaxing TOO relaxing do you get that effect in the carver ?

[@NigelPond]

The sound of the Carver reminds me of the London underground so not as relaxing 😉😁

[@Foxbat320]

@@NigelPond I use to sleep on the tube after a LONG night shift , maybe that's why then .

[@uwegabel3859]

kann man den jetzt auch noch kaufen und wieviel kostet er. ...gibt es ihn auch in 2 kmh ?

[@henrryjan666]

Pedazo de avioneta pero sin Alas

[@NigelPond]

😁 wings would be great!

[@stefangabler3469]

I remember seeing the first iterations of the Carver, although I am glad that they chose electric wish they would make a more powerful version of it. Guess they chose to limit power for it to be in a scooter and not car category for insurance reasons

[@NigelPond]

Exactly. I have new, more powerful motors for mine ready to be installed. Just waiting for workshop space 😁

[@stefangabler3469]

@@NigelPond Thanks for the reply mate! I was impressed by your new sporty chair you built. I'm sure the chassis of the carver can handle higher speeds

[@stevebolton8471]

Nigel. Really interesting vehicle. Making them electric is a sensible choice. I guess you haven't had much chance to use it with the lock-downs - are you still enjoying it. I assume it is zero road tax. What about insurance costs, and how are you going to get it serviced in the UK?

[@NigelPond]

Hi Steve, I've managed to put 387 miles on it so it's getting used. I do love it's uniqueness and it's great fun (could be more fun if it had more power...). I do really enjoy riding it. Any excuse and I'm taking it for a spin! Yes, road tax is zero. Insurance is a little high as it's the first in the country. I paid about £450 for the year. Servicing shouldn't be a problem as it's very simple. I do hope to do their servicing course at some point tho...

[@stevebolton8471]

@@NigelPond Yes the insurance is cheeky for the (current) performance. I pay less than that for my Honda NC750X motorcycle which doesn't have a cage around me and goes considerably faster. Looking forward to updates if you can get the motors fitted.

[@paulgraham2371]

Was your speedo set to kph or mph ? What is the max speed ? Ditto tilt angle ? (You may have scared your passenger you young villain).

[@NigelPond]

😁 in this video it's Kph. The Max speed is 30mph (although it's slightly more now and I plan to upgrade further). Max tilt angle is 40 degrees.

[@madaboutvoice]

Hi , Nigel. Speaking of brakes, no regen braking on it?

[@NigelPond]

I believe there is but I don't notice it... I must plug the service software back in and see if there's any data on it...

[@madaboutvoice]

@@NigelPond Cheers, Nigel. Would be good to know, for both of us. Regen braking would certainly prevent lots of wear and tear to your brake pads and discs, not to mention the added benefit of topping up the battery, though not by much, I hear. Regards, Gareth in Oz

[@WhiteMouse77]

...my one will be in signal yellow full wrap....

[@alexwright2761]

Which town is this that you driven Carver?

[@NigelPond]

Bracknell, Berkshire

[@alexwright2761]

@@NigelPond - Thanks mate!! 👍👍

[@logicalluke]

Looks interesting but not sure how the Carver would handle speed bumps! Especially in London.

[@NigelPond]

Speed bumps aren't comfortable to take in the Carver. It's not unsafe but the single swingarm both wheels are attached to doesn't allow the flexibility required. I'm hoping that adjustable shocks will help but I think the rear suspension has a design flaw...

[@mitchellhasler2666]

Do you need a full car license for these? Or can they be driven on a motorcycle CBT?

[@NigelPond]

The base 30mph version can be driven on a CBT.

[@mitchellhasler2666]

@@NigelPond thankyou! much appreciated for your reply! I’m looking into it right now lol, they look really cool, it would be good to have a test drive of one before getting one, I am in Warwickshire, do you know of anywhere at all that would allow me to test drive one?

[@NigelPond]

@@mitchellhasler2666 you're welcome 😁. CarverElectric.co.uk currently only have Carvers available for test drives in London. But, in March they will have high-profile retail outlets in London, Birmingham and Manchester... Keep an eye on their website for announcements 😁

[@mitchellhasler2666]

@@NigelPond perfect, again, thankyou for your replies! I’m 21 and this sort of technology I can’t wait for, & that’s better then, I shal wait until March and hopefully they will be closer to me, I’m not too far from near Coventry so Birmingham isn’t far at all, thanks for posting these videos, that are greatly appreciated! :)

[@variousd3507]

Is it safe? Like crash test wise.

[@NigelPond]

I don't believe this type of vehicle requires crash testing. But it's been designed to be safer than a two wheeled scooter which is the market segment it's aimed at.

[@sree1010]

This ev will be a superhit in India

[@hunk1967]

Why do they take evry roadbump in full speed? That's funny.

[@ahsansid1]

Beautiful can i buy

[@user-hv6hj3dg6z]

Подвеску надо доработать и фейс и будет пушка! Девочка сладкая)

[@migueldiaz5328]

lo que veo de este vehículo es que la suspensión ha de ser dura, porque se ven que brincotean mucho.

[@franciscoleite7717]

How much is it

[@NigelPond]

Staring from around €10.5k

[@alfredrudolf4729]

How it cost to India home delivery

[@NigelPond]

I'm afraid I don't know. Carver are currently only selling in mainland Europe so you would have to import to India yourself.

[@edgarguadalupe8740]

Carver bring to phl asia..lots.to buyer this new motor car.. electric.. chargers..2022

[@dhananjaymore5753]

Can a sell in India

[@ADOENDRA]

When is the next time they will go into Bankruptcy ?

[@NigelPond]

"Bankruptcy"

[@ADOENDRA]

@@NigelPond Same thing ;-)

[@user-pq2nd3tm9n]

Your daughter is a much better rider. Gracious turns, no rattles sweet voice. To put it mildly, you on the other hand, make the Carver a despicable investment.

[@NigelPond]

That's so funny. She's my wife. She'll be very pleased you thought she was my daughter 🤣

[@citybrownz]

price in usd

[@grantboucher9342]

do these videos have sound , any kind of talking seems so sporadic

[@NigelPond]

This video just has the audio that's recorded on the camera. I've recorded voiceover for a few of the others.

[@salmanf8142]

اين تنباع هذي

[@NigelPond]

I wish I could copy and paste from KZbin on Android into Google translate... Will have to wait until I'm back on my laptop.

[@hectoralvarez5996]

Costo

[@Dogslobba]

Hi Nigel, is your wife single?

[@NigelPond]

The perfect definition of an oxymoron.

[@CrusaderSports250]

​@@NigelPondor a very confused way of asking if you are a bigamist 😂😂. Interesting vehicle just a touch expensive though, unfortunately typical of small company low volume production economics, such is life!!.

[@terry13712]

Seems to me like an excuse for another nutter to see go breaking the speed limit for fun.

[@gsbhari7515]

Gangu sala

[@dhananjaymore5753]

Can a sell in India

[@edgarguadalupe8740]

Carver bring to phl asia..lots.to buyer this new motor car.. electric.. chargers..2022