CitiCar electric is breaking down barriers. For the world is shifting towards more sustainable solutions. Therefore, the automotive industry is no exception. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Thereby offering a clean and efficient alternative to traditional gas-guzzling cars. However, the cost of electric cars remains a barrier for many consumers. That’s where the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) comes in. In 2007, they developed a cheap and foldable electric car that could revolutionize the industry.
CityCar
The CityCar electric automobile, developed and prototyped by Smart Cities. It is designed to meet the demand for enclosed personal mobility. Thats with weather protection, climate control and comfort. Furthermore, secure storage and crash protection. Especially in the cleanest and most economical way possible. It weighs less than a thousand pounds. For it also parks in much less space than a Smart Car. Finally, it is expected to get the equivalent of 150 to 200 miles per gallon of gasoline. Since it is battery-electric, it produces no tailpipe emissions.
Architecture
The architecture of the CityCar is so radical. It does not have a central engine. In addition, no traditional power train. However, it is powered by four in-wheel electric motors. Each wheel unit contains drive motor (which also enables regenerative braking). Also steering and furthermore suspension. Finally, it also also independently digitally controlled. This enables maneuvers like spinning on its own axis (an O-turn instead of a U-turn). That’s also moving sideways into parallel parking spaces. So so cool. Finally and lane changes while facing straight ahead. That one blows my mind!
Shifting, Turning
Shifting drive to the corners in this way enables the CityCar to fold. I mean to minimize parking footprint. Also to provide front ingress and egress (since there is no engine in the way). This dramatically changes its relationship to streets and cities. It can park nose-in to the curb. That’s in far less than the width of a traditional parking bay. So it can park at very high densities. It is possible to park three or four CityCars in the length of a traditional parking bay.
The front compartment of a CityCar accommodates passengers and the rear compartment provides generous storage for baggage. In addition to groceries, and so on. When a CityCar folds, the baggage compartment remains level. Especially and for low and moreover easy access.
CityCars accommodate two passengers, which suits them to meeting the requirements of the vast majority of urban trips without excess capacity. They are designed for intra-urban trips, which are fairly short between recharge opportunities. This fits them gracefully to the capabilities of battery technologies that are presently available or likely to be available in the near future. They are not designed for inter-city travel, for which different technologies are more appropriate.
Conclusion:
The Media Lab’s foldable electric car is a promising technology that could change the way we think about transportation. Its affordability and portability make it an attractive option for urban dwellers. Especially and those looking for a sustainable alternative to gas-powered cars.
So as we continue to pursue environmentally-friendly solutions, innovations like the Media Lab’s electric car will play a critical role. Finally in preserving our planet for future generations.
Source: MIT
