Squared (FUchsia Violet Fun Utility Vehicle) arrived last week!

Made in the shade!  
There had been some talk about having more tinting at the top of the windshield to help block afternoon sun.  Also, some people, like me with my Midwestern complection, don’t like to have the sun bearing down from above.  I solved both these issues with some 50/50 see through vinyl that sign shops use to print on and apply over vehicle windows.  In my case, I had some printed with a grey color and installed it on the inside of the windshield and underside of the roof.  I didn’t want to completely block out the roof but this makes it much more comfortable for me to drive on a sunny day.  And it also improves the screen visibility of my dash/backup camera.  It was not easy to install this on the concave surface of the roof without a few wrinkles but I’m happy with the results.  I’ll keep you posted as to how well this holds up.

Got “Rei” our Evergreen a little over a week ago, VIN #37 for 2020. I happen to have borrowed Goldie, VIN #12 for 2019.

A couple observations between the newer Rei and older Goldie:

1. Both are silver panels but the molding seems to have changed. It is different but I can't put my finger on exactly how, the trunk looks different on the inside. 

2. Rei has an upgraded computer. The startup sounds are more melodic and loud.

3. Driving without doors is actually really nice. You can totally see the wheels and it is quicker to get in and out. I can see why Mark F doesn't seem interested in doors for his FUV. That said, the back is a bit more windy and I'm not real willing to hold Rusty Q Dog in the back seat without doors. Also storing stuff in the back seat is a little iffy without doors to keep your stuff from rolling around. Good thing our large pizza fit in the trunk 

4. Rei seems smoother. My son thinks it turns at low speeds a little easier. I couldn't tell the difference

5. We also have different back tire and brake pads. 

6. You are now required to have both the left and right seatbelts engaged in order to move.

For anyone wondering if you can rig up a quick button to reset. Apparently not at all possible. My husband was looking at the training rig for technicians and the guys showed how the reboot works. Sorry. Only suggestion hubby had was nice black thumb screws for the small panels and small hands.

Hi Mark/Michael/Darby (if Darby's on here...)  Sorry for the overly-harsh email the other day, it was the only way I could think of to guarantee a timely response...

Just wanted to thank Mark for the rapid call-back, and rapid response to my questions.

Long story short: I was scheduled to have Arcimoto techs come do a couple of "maintenance repairs" plus all the recall items. The scheduled work date was Monday March 23.  On Friday March 20, Arcimoto essentially shut down for the stay-at-home order. My FUV had already been rarely driven for two months because of the issues (major issues would occur when it was raining, and as February/March is prime rainy season in Portland, it meant a lack of driving opportunities.) I tried to get them to honor their March 23 schedule based on the fact that the work could be one person working on it in my driveway, to no avail.

So my FUV sat for another month. But, the weather has been nice of late, so I decided to go for a drive, since the rain issue wouldn't crop up.  But, sitting for three weeks had apparently drained the 12V battery. I charged up the 12V, and the HV was drained. Got the HV recharged, but the vehicle won't start. Contacted Arcimoto to see if this now-completely-undriveable state would qualify for repair. I was told again "we're not operating for now," but then saw a comment on their YouTube update video that they said their service department *WAS* operating.

So I sent my rather annoyed email.

They came up and picked it up today.

Gali from HyperChange youtube channel posted a nice chat with Arcimoto CEO Mark Frohnmayer.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALPsNUQxOi8 

I believe toward the end (I paused/resumed the video a few times so it could be at a different point) Gali had asked about the electronics and how they're controlled via software.  I thought he was going to ask Mark about OTA (over the air) software updates but didn't.  That prompted me to search this forum for discussion on OTA updates but I couldn't find any.  (My apologies if they exist.)  So I did the next best thing and did an internet search.  Found an interesting write by electrek on the FUV back on February 6, 2020 - "Arcimoto FUV production-spec first drive: it’ll turn heads"  Here's an excerpt from that article: 

"It’s possible that Arcimoto might add some more capabilities to the system in the future. Right now the software is still in progress, and the vehicle isn’t capable of over-the-air updates, but will have that capability “soon.”" 

Does anybody have any additional info on Acrimoto's plans to add OTA updates?

Was in San Francisco for a conference, had a free day Friday, so figured I'd head over to Fisherman's Wharf and tour the area in a vehicle I'm familiar with.

Person at front desk "uh.... None of us knows how to turn it on, you'll have to wait for {person} to get back who knows how."

"Oh, it's fine, I know how." (They made me wait anyway.)

They have two now - #6 and #83(?) I drove the newer one. It already has almost as many miles as mine. (I'm at a little over 1000, theirs was in the mid 800s.) It drove great, other than the friction brakes being *VERY* squealy when using them. I did notice that the dashboard software had been tweaked slightly. Not a huge change, but the "regenerative braking reduced" warning looks a lot nicer.

Sorry, I was too busy having fun driving it to take any action shots!

Got my FUV on 2/3 and enjoying it for sure. Weather hasn't been the best but we have logged 70 miles to date. Noticing less distance per charge due to lower ambient temps.

Finally the rain stopped long enough to drive it in to work.  Discovered a few issues with having it sitting outside undriven for two weeks in the rain with no cover.  The cargo box definitely lets water in - the small rug I was using as a cargo area "floor" had gotten damp enough that it has started to grow mold/mildew. So chucked it out and will give it a good washing. I think the friction brakes started to rust or something, as driving I can hear a "tick tick tick" from the wheels that is 100% speed-related. (Above ~30 MPH just wind/motor noise is enough to cover it.) And it lost about 60% battery charge in two weeks of sitting there, so had to plug in to a charger near work to make sure I'll make it home.  I'll have to flip the 12V cutoff if I'm going to store it for a while again.

But fun to be on the road again!

I'm ordering more on Monday. I believe this is the bottom right before the Tesla leading electric revolution. As Tesla keeps plugging away and the ICE dies Arcimoto will emerge as a well desired household item. There are many signals for this timing. GM and LG building a plant in Ohio (2 months ago). Ford to reveil it's electric f150 in 2021.

The attention will eventually swarm to Arcimoto, which will be ready in the manufacturing department. When the waters rise, all boats will float and Arcimoto will have the great mechanical advantage.

The DST triangle equation the Tesla pickup will control.(think dragon wing foldable solar panels with it's stainless steel) but Arcimoto will be second.

https://images.app.goo.gl/DfFAz34vDDPK4h7q8

https://youtu.be/OKnkds4lv7w

Very cool. Unfortunately I see the 11k fuv slowly drifting away.