What's the news?
Remember the Morgan EV3 electric three-wheeler we brought you news of at this year's Geneva Motor Show? Well, the project continues apace and the company is keen to keep us abreast of developments.
Chief of which is that an outfit called Potenza Ltd, based in Coventry in the UK's midlands, has been selected by Morgan to manufacture both the 120-volt battery of the EV3 and the high-voltage system needed for the vehicle, with Potenza installing these items at its Coventry base.
Potenza was selected for its electric vehicles know-how and it will have, along with Morgan (of course), input into the concept design, vehicle integration and CAD modelling. In a further announcement from the carmaker, a number of new members have been added to the R&D Engineering team, in order to cope with the EV3 programme.
Just to remind you, the EV3 has a 46kW (62hp) liquid-cooled electric motor that powers the solitary rear wheel, with power coming from a 20kWh lithium-ion battery. Use of carbon in its construction means that it should weigh less than 500kg and so it is capable of 0-100km/h in less than 9.0 seconds, can run on to a 145km/h+ maximum and has a range of 240km on a single charge.
Anything else?
Two pre-production EV3s are being constructed at Morgan's Malverns base in the UK, with testing to ensure it delivers 'the same exhilarating drive' as a petrol 3 Wheeler part of the next steps. A government body has also been contacted to ensure the cars meets all the necessary regulations.
John Beech, Morgan's chief engineer, said: "Working with this new technology has required a totally different approach and an expansion in our team. Bringing the tradition of Morgan together with a modern twist has opened up our vehicles to a completely new client base."
Watch an excellent little teaser trailer of the forthcoming EV3 right here.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MUsE4rkfzkc" width="560" height="315"></iframe>