Doohan iTank test: a low-cost electric tricycle

With original design and reclining front two wheelers, the Doohan iTank is one of the cheapest electric three wheelers on the market. What is it really worth? We were able to test it on the streets of Paris. 

If three-wheeled scooters are especially present in the combustion engine car segment, they remain relatively rare in an all-electric field. A pioneer in this field, Doohan has been offering iTank for several years now, a model distributed by Weebot that we have been able to get our hands on.

Doohan iTank: a small electric tricycle with an atypical appearance

Atypical view  

In terms of styling, the Doohan iTank is radically different from other three-wheelers on the market. It is clear that the car has something to turn its head and we did not go unnoticed on the streets of Paris. In general, the decoration is correct and the materials are of high quality. Specifically, we find LED lighting and three hydraulic disc brakes, which are limited to just 99 kg (with battery).

Bosch motorisation and removable batteries

On the electrical side, Doohan iTank has a 1,49KW electric motor. Supplied by German supplier Bosch and integrated into the rear wheel, it delivers a peak power of 2.35 kW and a top speed of 45 km / h on the 50cc version of our test model. 

Removable, the battery is pretty well integrated. Equipped with Panasonic lithium cells, it is housed in an inconspicuous compartment at the center tunnel level. It can be supplemented with an additional second pack. Accumulating 1.56 kWh of power (60-26 Ah), it announces from 45 to 70 km of autonomy, depending on the selected driving mode. To charge it, there are two solutions: either directly on the scooter, or at home or in the office.

In both cases, you will have to use an external charger and give 5-6 hours to fully charge. 

In terms of storage space, with the exception of the two empty pockets and the location of the second battery, the space available to store your helmet or your belongings is reduced. However, a kit is available with two side bags and a top case to increase capacity.

Fully digital hardware remains fairly basic. Thus, we find a speedometer, complemented by a battery indicator and an indication of the driving mode used (1 or 2). Practical point: there is also a reverse function that makes maneuvering easier.

Designed to accommodate up to 2 passengers, the Doohan iTank offers ample legroom even for tall people. The saddle height is limited to 750mm, making it easy to place your foot on the ground when the machine is stationary. 

On the steering wheel

From the first meters, we discover the main strength of a three-wheeled vehicle: its stability! Quite comfortable thanks to the two tiltable front wheels, the Doohan iTank easily overcomes the road with a width limited to 73 cm. Obviously, this is more than just a two-wheeled car, but slightly smaller than the Piaggio MP3 (80 centimeters).

If we wanted to play an economy card at the beginning of the test, favoring Eco mode, we quickly abandoned that idea. There are two reasons for this choice: too soft acceleration and a top speed limit of 25 km / h. While it may be suitable for certain “less stressful” conditions, Eco mode is clearly not designed for driving in Paris. Apart from the lightning, the Sport mode is much better. Accelerations are correct and make it easy to get into traffic. The same goes for the top speed, which then reaches 45 km / h. 

The flip side of the coin: Doohan iTank becomes much more power-hungry in sport mode. Starting with 87% battery charge, we went down to 16% after 25 kilometers. Under our test conditions and with our tester's 86 kilograms, we achieve a theoretical autonomy of 35 km. For heavy riders, there is still the option to integrate a second backpack to double the range. This is unfortunately not cheap and will increase the bill by € 1.000.

€ 2.999 no bonus

One of the cheapest electric tricycles on the market, the Doohan iTank starts at € 2999 on the WEEBOT website. Price without bonus, which includes only one battery. If you need a second battery, the price drops to € 3999. For this price, it might be better to go for the 125cc version. See Sold for 4.199 Euros, it has a slightly more powerful engine (3 kW) and has a top speed of 70 km / h. Two batteries are also included as standard.