Researchers at MIT are working on a prototype of a lightweight electric vehicle called the City Car, that can be cheaply mass-produced, rented by commuters under a shared-use business model, and folded and stacked like grocery carts at subway stations or other central sites.
"We're eliminating the internal combustion engine," said Media Lab research assistant Ryan Chin, studio coordinator for the City Car project. He said the four electric motors will enable a more efficient use of power by also dispensing with the transmission and driveline. "We're removing as much hardware from the car as possible."
Curious?..
estreka says:
08:18 AM, 02/21/07
I could see these replacing taxis in the very distant future.
firstwagon says:
09:09 AM, 02/21/07
I like the idea of a minimal compact electric car but the "shared use " idea will never work in the real world.
Too complicated to control.
ateixeira says:
11:52 AM, 02/21/07
It would work for existing short-term rental companies like Zip Car.
I don't see americans climbing out of their big vehicles for this toy, though.
sabastian says:
02:58 PM, 02/21/07
Actually, there are some shared-car programs in London, and to my knowledge, they're doing alright. Like ateixeira said though, I'm not sure this type of thing would fly in the states. That said, I bet taxis and the Geek Squad would love this thing.
-Sabastian