I have been penning down about many ingeniously designed eco-cars here and almost all of them are aptly designed to suit to our needs and also our environment. However I have always wondered about the one limitation in such concepts and that is the need for extra storage. Most of them are not-so-roomy enough to accommodate 2 people only. And where do you think we can shove our luggage like shopping bags, grocery bags, sports gears and more. But Piers Prendergast has the answer for this with his city car concept. Dubbed as the Electracity, it is an electric commuter vehicle that extends its chassis to become a micro courier vehicle. This allows the vehicle to be used for work and recreation, reducing the number of vehicles in city centers.
Ideally sized and shaped, this city car can fit between street bollards to go where no other cars can.
Sporting an automated sliding door, the extending rear section of its chassis folds out when you need some room and folds back in when you’re driving empty.
Via Dvice
Comments
I think the limitation in storage and passenger space is to keep the power needs low and once the technology improves, vehicles may get a bit bigger.
Yup, but then space is also a prime factor when designing such eco vehicles. Cause we cannot leave our belongings behind when setting off to work, holiday or simply shopping.
If a electric car cannot accommodate my luggage, why will I go for it?
A very valid point Deepa. Since you mentioned, even I realised all vehicles are either single or 2 seater with kind of cramped up space. And since they cannot change the external design, so perhaps thats the way they are intended to be. So yes, this can be a drawback for most eco-vehicles if you intend to carry luggage or take family along... or may be all the designs covered till now are meant to be personal vehicles (like segway) and there would be other bigger ones (like this one)
@ Deepa and Manish
Most of the eco-vehicles apart from being sensitive to the environment also focus on the appearance. Looks and performance have always been the driving force for a consumer to make a purchase, am I right? We have to admit that it’s hard to change the herd mentality of people and making them shift from normal to eco-friendly cars is not. The biggest drawback is the high price.
People always prefer cheaper yet faster cars and competing with such gas guzzling cars is extremely tough. I am really glad that more and more eco-friendly cars are coming up. The space constraint will certainly be taken care of in the coming years.
Nithya, yes looks and performance do help in purchase, but there are few more things to it..
Like when I got me new car last year, I saw Looks, performance (engine power, mileage), comfort in seating and comfort in driving, safety, brand, engine quality (pollution) and finally price.. and I ended up buying the most expensive one from the lot I had shortlisted.
And regarding price, yes - unless eco-friendly cars / hybrid cars get cheaper, add more space and improve safety (have you noticed how almost all eco-friendly vehicles have little safety for head on collision?) normal fuel guzzling cars will get preferred over them...
but its just matted of time I guess.
I love this design. Looks very very smart!! The fact that this electric commuter vehicle extends its chassis to become a micro courier vehicle makes it more appealing, as its dual purpose car. Haha I think this is a comfy car for one as you will need all that extra space to keep your belongings. Nonetheless, it looks stylish!
Yeah Nithya, the very fact tht it can extend to render more space is fantastic. As space is the only aspect where most of the eco-cars fail.
Some designers focus on style and some focus on style and space. Eco-friendly cars are up coming and will certainly solve the crammed space problem in the coming years. The few links below are proof indicating that spacious eco cars do exist!
1. http://www.automotto.org/entry/limelite-coachworks-launches-the-world-s-first-hybrid-limo/
2. http://www.thedesignblog.org/entry/mihai-stamatis-2030-the-revolutionary-car/
3. http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/eco-automobile-the-pathfinder-an-eco-friendly-amphibian-for-the-ones-with-wanderlust/
4. http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/ze-o-the-new-family-car/
5. http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/the-rhoades-car-gets-a-makeover-courtesy-bicycle-forest/
6. http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/wow-to-the-eco-elise-by-lotus/
PS: Now Deepa and Manish chip in to buy me a KS for my hardwork ;) hehe
|PS: Now Deepa and Manish chip in to buy me a KS for my hardwork ;) hehe”
Nithya, whats KS?
I just clicked thru the all links you have given.. hey you have done great work .. and yes lots of Hard work too! :)
You deserve a KS.. but wots a KS? lol
Hey Nithya thanks a ton for all your thoughtful comments. I too agree with u that form n function along with an affordable price tag rules our decisions when we are out to purchase anything....including a vehicle.
A few of the vehicles from the links that u have given have been covered by me on other blogs :)
The future of eco-vehicles seems to be roomy for sure :)
Nithya, Deepa and I are ready to go when you are :P