# Government-Funded Trikes Department of Energy Gets Funding Approval for Three-Wheeled Autos By Brian G Randles | Published 2009-10-17 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/three-wheeled-autos References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/three-wheelers-approved-funding-doe.php) & [gas2.org](http://gas2.org/2009/06/14/xr3-225-mpg-plug-in-hybrid-trike-headed-for-production/) We might be seeing three-wheeled autos on the road sooner than we thought. A bill has been approved by Congress which will permit [three-wheeled automobiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-trike-design) to get funding from the [Department of Energy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cru). Three-wheelers have been developed for a while now, but have remained out of the mainstream because of safety fears. The cars now have government funding behind it, and upon receiving a signature from Obama, we could be seeing three-wheeled autos as soon as 2011. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.9/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 47% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Government-funded Three-wheelers:** Opportunity for manufacturers and startups to develop innovative three-wheeled automobile designs and technologies with government funding support. - **Mainstream Adoption of Three-wheelers:** Potential for three-wheeled autos to enter the mainstream market, offering a unique and eco-friendly alternative to traditional automobiles. - **Improved Safety Features for Three-wheelers:** Innovation potential in developing advanced safety systems for three-wheeled vehicles to address safety concerns and boost consumer confidence. ### Who This Affects Most - **Automotive Industry:** Opportunity for automotive manufacturers to explore and invest in the production of three-wheeled vehicles and capitalize on the emerging market demand. - **Green Transportation Industry:** Potential for growth and disruption in the green transportation sector as three-wheelers provide an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transportation option. - **Automotive Safety Industry:** Market opportunity for companies specializing in automotive safety to develop and supply advanced safety features for three-wheeled autos, addressing the safety concerns associated with this vehicle type. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Enclosed Electric Tricycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carver-electric-city-car.md) - [Futuristic Electric Tricycles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yamaha-tricera.md) - [Two-Seater Solar-Powered Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aptera.md) - [Vintage-Inspired Three-Wheelers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/morgan-super-3.md) - [Autonomous Three-Wheeled Task Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfdriving-concept-trike.md) - [Retro-Style Electric Trikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/etrike-revolution.md) - [Compact Urban Delivery Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tris-ev.md) - [Supportive Three-Wheeled Electric Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xp-trike.md) - [Lightweight Electric Trike Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rad-power-bikes-radtrike.md)