Arcimoto: an electric tricycle with an unconventional leaning design

Specialist in 3-wheel electric vehicles, American manufacturer Arcimoto presents the novel bicycle « Mean Lean Machine » capable of leaning.

Arcimoto is not a typical vehicle manufacturer. This American company based in Oregon makes curious 3-wheeled electric vehicles. They are somewhere between a Polaris Slingshot and a Renault Twizy.

The Arcimoto FUV, capable of transporting 2 people, is also available in several versions. The Deliverator replaces the rear seat with a trunk, the Rapid Responder for law enforcement, the Roadster styled like a quad (but with 3 wheels, a tricycle?) and the Flatbed, whose rear serves as a cargo box for professionals.

A leaning 3-wheeled bicycle, novel?

All these vehicles are based on the FUV, but Arcimoto now offers a completely new model. The American company unveiled the Mean Lean Machine (or MLM). This electric assist bike features 3 wheels, 2 in the front and one in the rear.

Its unique feature is the ability to lean, like a motorcycle. This is unprecedented. More specifically, it is the bicycle equivalent of a Piaggio MP3 or Peugeot Metropolis 3-wheeled scooter. It also joins the family of leaning 3-wheelers that are more car-like, such as the Carver One, which already attempted the experience (with a steering wheel and 2 rear wheels), followed by the Toyota i-Road.

Arcimoto MLM 2022 — The Arcimoto is an electric 3-wheeled bike that can lean and be recharged by pedaling.

The advantages of this type of bike are « better stability and more powerful braking » according to the brand.

The Arcimoto MLM recharges while pedaling

Hung at the rear, the MLM places its pedal set at the front, connected to the front wheels via the central platform. However, there is no derailleur; the transmission is direct through a single gear.

The company did not mention other markets, including Europe. No information on power ratings, batteries, or prices. However, the Mean Lean Machine can cover « 320 km with auxiliary batteries ». It’s hard to understand how this will work, but it is possible to recharge the bike while stopped! In stationary mode or on an exercise bike, pedaling feeds the batteries, a concept already seen on the Pi-Pop with supercapacitors.

The Arcimoto MLM will be launched in late 2022 in North America, this fall. However, pre-orders are already available for $100 (about 89 euros). Without a final design, the MLM gives a first glimpse via this official video:

Future variants?

The 3 wheels of the Arcimoto MLM are unlikely to appeal to everyone. The market is not that of conventional electric assist bikes, which reached nearly 800,000 units in the US in 2021 according to BNEF.

The architecture with 2 front wheels and a single rear wheel seems more suited to alternative solutions. In fact, the Arcimoto MLM will have a tandem 2-seater variant. Given the variants of the FUV, it’s easy to imagine a tri-wheeler or cargo version of the MLM. It would target professionals, delivery services, or individuals seeking a more maneuverable tool with storage space or even for children.