This trike certainly seems unique, with a “hub” motor mounted to an open differential. Overall, I think it’s well suited for new or “it’s been a while” riders that are looking for those car-like comforts but still pack a lot of practicality at a reasonable price. For example, the parking brake and integrated lights would feel perfectly at home for someone who otherwise drives an automobile everywhere.
So while it’s slow – 14 mph (~20 kph) top speed – that’s shouldn’t really be an issue, and is quite the benefit since it keeps the range high (~60 miles/~100 km) and means the 500 W motor can likely hold that speed going uphill on paved surfaces. I can easily envision a stoker attachment for parent and child to ride along, without having to worry about possibly unbalancing a two-wheel bicycle. That it’s foldable makes it especially apt for those concerned about how to store it at home; I’m not totally convinced the folding feature will be used often to regularly transport the trike to destinations away from home. But it certainly ticks a box for consumers on the fence about buying an ebike or e-trike.
P.S. rgarding speed, I’m thoroughly convinced that no trike – electric or otherwise – should ever exceed around 32 kph (20 mph) in regular service. The physics of making a turn with a non-tilting, high center-of-gravity vehicle on not-necessarily reinforced spoked wheels are unfavorable as speed increases from a standstill. Whereas a two-wheel normally becomes more stable as speed increases.
14 mph/20 kph is roughly the speed of an adult casually riding an acoustic, two wheel bicycle, so this is a perfectly reasonable and marketable speed threshold. (I’m looking at you indignantly, SoCal beach regulations)
