Folding Electric Car

[MerryJoy123]

WE HAVE PLENTY OF RESOURCES HERE IN AMERICA! THE E.P.A. WON'T LET US USE WHAT WE HAVE. INSTEAD WE HAVE TO KEEP GETTING IT FROM PPL WHO HATE US!

[MerryJoy123]

SOON WE WILL BE GOING BACK TO HORSE AND BUGGY DAYS THANKS TO ALL THE TREE HUGGERS AND EARTH WORSHIPPERS.

[crankabit]

I love it when people with no imagination criticize someone who is creative and has the skills to make something new. Shut the hell up with your negativity!

[davey1622]

Magnet driven generator

[Russell9111]

Wrong batteries don't last forever and what made those batteries? Petroleum what charged those batteries? Coal can you use a solar panel sure but there made with silicon and expensive metals

[heavyboxer99]

the quality is so crappy i cant even see ur face

[joshpit2003]

i love that it can fold into the storage on a bus. awesome

[TGLymantaiste]

That is almost worthless. Just buy a Ten speed. NO batteries. and the first car was made by Benz. I can see a bike adaptation for something like this, Maybe in town for grabbing a soda. or if you lived Really close to work. by with the slow top speed and limited range Ill stick with my bike.

[TGLymantaiste]

That is almost worthless. Just buy a Ten speed. NO batteries. and the first car was made by Benz.

[kcskateking]

probably one of the most amazing ideas ever

[diddymuck]

is that dr. james burke??

[Vethraxx]

It's a nice concept. However, you can't buy and stuff 2 weeks work of groceries in it. You can't load the up the kids, the soccer equipment in it. You can't load all your your camping gear in it. This WIKE is only made for single people. Make a solar electric mini-van and you will sell a lot more to the general public.

[marskramer14]

There might not be enough resources for everyone to keep driving cars for long...but there is also not enough resources to make batteries for everyone for very long...and the only place to harvest the resources that are needed to make batteries is China, a vastly growing nation...pretty scary isn't it?

So nice concept for now, but not the solution.

[muddymuddymuddmann]

OK i WANT ONE. WHERE DO I GO AND HOW MUCH PLEASE.

MUDDy

[doug2877]

@muddymuddymuddmann I want one to

[muddymuddymuddmann]

@doug2877 OH NO THIS ONES MINE,,,,LOL

I PROMISED IT TO ELMO AND MR.NUUDO!

MUDDy

[KrunchyJD]

Have you heard of velomobiles? they have velomobiles with electric assist

[tomcatfranks]

The red one in the beginning made me think of the Velorex, a Czechoslovakian microcar that has a tube frame with a fabric 'skin'. Is that what insprired you to use fabric for the Wicycle?

[cypher954]

20 D cell batteries ? how is that possible?

[bigbadlee1]

looks great ...until an accident ha[ppens. Hope the life insurance is paid up.

[andhemills]

The irony is that this thing is superior in safety to automobiles. I just wish it had pedal power in case I run out of batteries. I travel 40k per day.

[bigbadlee1]

No kidding, 40K per day. What does it cost to run? How is it safer? I live in the US with lots of SUV's on the road which makes my sub compact seem unsafe. It could be a fakeout of course since you can get just as killed in a truck..

[AngloAmalgamated]

The first cars were often built by companies who had previously made bicycles. Things are coming full circle: the next generation of cars may be developed by people who develop electric cars from the bicycle/velomobile cos trying to develop them backwards from the petrol car dosent seem to be happening - its always promises of next year for electric cars from the big car companies.

[upcycle]

interesting note... Howard Hughes, before becoming famous as an aircraft builder, tinkered with puting a motor on his bicycle. And the famous Henry Ford began his ventures into building electric cars(before petrol cars existed) while he was the chief engineer at the Edison Illumination Company.

[Geminii27]

That's a folding car like a convertible is a folding car. I was hoping for a Transformer cross with George Jetson's suitcase.

[upcycle]

when the car is full folded down.. it is not drivable. however, more can be don with folding down the wheels. Perhaps the next generation will incorporate advanced matrials for less weight and greater strength.

[upcycle]

Lithium batteries would more than quadruple the range and pawer.. a couple bionx hub motors (maybe even 4) would increase power and speed. disk brakes on all for wheels would add to safety performance. the advanced batteries would allow for more electronics... perhaps for pasenger compartment heating/cooling control, video cameras in front and rear (with therma and/or night vision) for enhanced safety.

[cypher954]

I have an electric bike and I just ordered 36v 20ah lithium battery for it...can't wait

[xpez]

make a 4x4 version...so I can go offroad

[upcycle]

it would be interesting to make it remote control using a cell phone as the wireless control interface and for a live video feed to show the action. could drive the car to the drive thru window to order food or drinks ..

[dave140c]

Wow! That's amazing! Just watch out for the Hummer drivers talking on their cell phones!

[spankysteez]

the gas car isn't really doomed.. you need a bus to drive long distances!!

[cypher954]

the gas car itself may not be doomed but your ability to pay for it might be...where are you going to get the money to keep funding something like that? think about it...there are no jobs that last 20 years anymore

[Neonspinnazz30]

A car that I can fold and store in a smart car. Wow, it's an innovative design. I think safety wouldn't be too much of a factor once many people stop driving tanks (not gonna happen anytime soon). But it's a very solid design.

I only see one flaw that makes it much like a Prius without gas.

After the batteries become unusable and cannot be recycled, where do they go?

How long would the batteries last?

Prius owners tend to learn the bad news after 5 years. Pruis batteries cost $13,000

[sktavdr]

that's because the car weighs so much. the faster and deeper the discharge, the fewer charge cycles you get. batteries are kind of like tires, in that if you subject them to hard use, they wear out quicker. this car probably weighs less than 300 pounds; 30 amps vs. 100 amps uphill.

[Neonspinnazz30]

Oh yes, no doubt about it that the folding car's batteries will keep a charge better than the Prius and they might actually last longer (prius batteries last for about 100,000 miles).

But my only concern about electrics are their long term effect on the environment, sure in the short term they have virtually no effect but once you start to pile up those unrecyclable/unusable batteries then the negative effect just stack up. Like Toyota has a battery "disposal facility"...

[Neonspinnazz30]

...that's basically a landfill for batteries. And a pile of batteries that can leak at any moment could lead to negative environmental impact. But Toyota says that it's "impossible" for leaking batteries to penetrate the facility.

The only quote in this video that's really stretching opinion and fact is that "...the physics behind...family cars won't last for 15 more years..." 50 years maybe, 15? Now that's irrational and near impossible unless we all drive Humvees

[sktavdr]

my understanding is that NiMH batteries are recyclable, and there is a market for them (payback of recycling costs). same for LiFePO4. It's the NiCd, LiPolymer and Lithium-Cobalt that are dangerous because of the heavy metals. lead-acid is dangerous but much more recyclable.

however, if our goal is to create sustainable transport, we need to replace roadways with guideways--not only for safety (grade separation) but mostly to power the vehicles from trackside energy storage systems.

[Neonspinnazz30]

And NiMH batteries provide more power, range, and life...at a bit of a bigger cost...

Which is mostly why Toyota doesn't use them on the Prius (lead acid). I mean the purchase price is already a bit impractical for those seeking economical transport.

Thankfully the Tesla batteries (in both Teslas and 09'+ smart Electric Drives) are NiMH. And sadly enough both Tesla and smart (both gas/electric) are 95%-98% recyclable (whole car).

[ogicabp4u]

all good ideas...but they aint exactly chick magnets, 100% weatherproof, cool looking or as safe to drive in urban cities. If you can address these areas as well then you have a product. People will always buy what looks cool and sexy first, safety next, practicality and then price and economy. If the public think its ugly it aint selling. PERIOD.

Trouble is the inventors have brilliant ideas but no idea when it comes to public taste or desire.

[upcycle]

yes, newere more asthetic designs will probably be more appealing. I think this one was done on a shoestring budgut, converting a bicycle trailer using some off the shelf parts.

[coopercrue]

thats really cool

[burb72]

aka suburban speedbump, actually very cool, we will see this when gas hits about $7 and no one is driving suburbans

[burb72]

side note, its not going to take long to hit 7 bucks a gallon

[upcycle]

Seems electric vehicles will be the most common form of energy used for moving vehicles in the near future. Nanotech solar panels and super conductor materials for electric motors will probably be a big factors

[yesiamanalien]

Could the battery pack be made larger for longer range? I think a minimum range of 50 miles is needed and a top speed of at least 30mph for it to really catch on.

[upcycle]

Yes. For examle Lithium Ion polymer batteries. And they are faster to recharge, hold the charge better, and do not hold a memory. And they can be configured in easy to replace battery cartridges, like the DeWalt power tools, 36 volt packs.

[sktavdr]

i'm using a LiFePO4 battery, 15Ah @ 36V for my bike. best battery ever.

a sexy weather shield would be nice.

[kdc43]

I like it!!!! A folding car that can be stowed on a bus!!!!

[kdc43]

But I do have some questions. 1) Why are you towing that wagon,what's in it,more batteries? 2) When you folded n parked where was the wagon? 3) It showed the folded car going into the bus, where was the wagon?

[360guy0]

its a good idea, but you'll look ridiculous.

[upcycle]

why would you look ridiculous?

[billyposter]

A pussy magnet.

[luc59457]

Great job upcycle!

[upcycle]

thanks.

[carcultured]

THANK YOU> Somebody is making the change.

YES WE CAN!!!

[upcycle]

thanks.

[camaroz28fatbuttgabe]

where are the crumple zones?

[ragonamuffin]

I think its your legs...

[governmentrefunds]

awesome

[upcycle]

thanks.

[LovePontiac]

lmao! I like how he calls it a "car"

[techforumz]

Umm 12c of electricity is anywhere from 2,000W to 667W. A D cell can hold at most 1.5V x 4Ah = 6W x 20 = 120W (15V @ 8Ah) And these are very generous figures.

[vierge99]

What a conspiracy. Listen in to how many fatal accidents happen in your area. The number is MUCH lower than the national reports claim. The goal is to get you to buy a bigger car that you assume is safer that uses more gas. This fills everyone's pockets but your own. Big oil, car makers, politicians. If everyone drove a wike, accidents would consist of skinned knees and bruises.

[techforumz]

But only if everyone drove one. A steel car crashing into a tent, gee, who's gonna win???

You are correct though, just that it's impractical.

[luc59457]

you got a good point vierge99

[PaulGreenleaf]

God that's funny!!!!!

[upcycle]

It occured to me that this type of vehicle may be used as a form of public transit vehicle that allows them to tethered tegether like a train. And the number can be increased or lessened depending on the public transport need. They may also be desiged to run in autopilot to locations where they mosted needed. Paths may be contructed as dedicated wicycle transit right of ways. Thoughts?

[spasticteapot]

It's much more efficient to put everyone in the same box - I.E, a bus. The Soviets were quite keen on electric buses - some of them still run today. Much more comfortable,too.

Engineers from MIT came up with a similar idea decades ago. They were then told by market analysts that people want comfortable vehicles with room for every possible contingency - even a bachelor might need to give his relatives rides to the airport.

[upcycle]

"..people want comfortable vehicles with room for every possible contingency..."

I suppose there are many things that people want that need to be reconciled with the dynamics of sharing space and resources with other people. The makers of horse shoes and horse drawn carriages probably thought that people prefer horse over those new fangled ICE powered "horseless carriages". And so evolution continues...

[upcycle]

spasticteapot wrote:

"It's much more efficient to put everyone in the same box - I.E, a bus."

The relative efficiency of a "bus" would only be efficient if it was carrying maximum number of passengers. Otherwise, the "bus" is transporting only it's own weight, and causing unnecessary wear and tear on the vehicle and the road.

[spasticteapot]

A modern hybrid-diesel bus can achieve 20 miles to the gallon. Assuming an average load of 20 people - a bus with many open seats - it is the equivalent of 20 cars, each running at 400 miles to the gallon.

There are several economies of scale. When doubling the dimensions of a box (like a car), the frontal area - and air resistance - increases four times, but the volume grows eightfold. Furthermore, because a bus is huge, it is very safe in a crash - a Wike is not.

[upcycle]

spasticteapot wrote:

"...a bus is huge ... a Wike is not."

That is true. And a Wike is a tool which provide s versatility that a huge bus does not. And it provides less wear and tear on roads. And .. above, a wike can be carried on a bus.

[spasticteapot]

While all of this is all very well, there are a few major problems.

The first is that of range. The "Wike" does less than ten miles. Many live twenty miles or more from their workplace, often through hilly terrain that would have the range.

The second is that of safety. Vehicles like pick-up trucks are required for farming and construction, and a 30-mile-per-hour crash in a vehicle like the one above is simply not survivable.

[upcycle]

spasticteapot wrote:

"Wike" does less than ten miles."

incorrect.

"...a 30-mile-per-hour crash in a vehicle like the one above is simply not survivable."

How do you come to this conclusion? And of what relevance does it have for it's affective use in safe operating conditions?

[spasticteapot]

The 15 kilometers mentioned = about 9.5 miles. Long range requires a battery pack that is either very expensive or very, very heavy.

A head-on collision at 15mph in a normal car is completely survivable. However, a head-on collision in a Wike against a normal car will result in the Wike being turned into a road waffle.

Of course, you could make the Wike as safe as a car, but that would make the Wike as heavy as a car. Which would, in turn, make it very, very, very expensive.

[upcycle]

He is using nicad batteries in this video illustration. It is old, obsolete technology for energy storage. Lithium polymer batteries would be lighter weight, take up less space, and provide much more energy than nicads. And cost continues to drop for this new technology.

[upcycle]

spasticteapot wrote:

"Of course, you could make the Wike as safe as a car, but that would make the Wike as heavy as a car"

It would be in the category of ultra micro car. by mass ratio, such as the "Smart car", minus weight of engine, fuel tank, fuel and all the support devices, the weight of materials required to support the weight of those heavier vehicles, this electric folding car would still be likely be well under 100 pounds depending on design and composiion of the skind materials.

[upcycle]

BTW, this vehicle would likely be designed as NEV, similar to the category of a bicycle, electric bicycle, or moped, in terms of speed and power capacity.

[BatteryReviver]

In BC, a 4-wheeler must be licensed and crash-tested, etc. To be a "bike", the Wike must be a 3-wheeler. Can you re-design?

[upcycle]

What about 4 wheeled vehicles that are human powered? How are they legally addressed? In the USA, I believe, the 4 wheeled bicycles are kind of in a void legally, it seems. Some may say that in the spirit of the law, they would be the same, legally, as a trike, as long as they meet all the other specifications. Thoughts?

[BatteryReviver]

Good stuff! But how about the Revived Battery pickup truck, in comparison? Also 30 cents a day.

[upcycle]

"Revived Battery pickup truck"?

If you are wanting to compare energy efficiency of the wycicycle with another vehicle, perhaps you can give more details of the vehicles. The wicycle can also be described as a pickup. Also, it can two trailers as shown in the video.

[dubldeka]

I pervade Sydney on an electric bike.

It is cheaper than walking.

The food, drinks and wear and tear of walking 20 ks. far outweigh the 20 cents of DC.

[upcycle]

dubldeka wrote:

"I pervade Sydney on an electric bike. It is cheaper than walking. The food, drinks and wear and tear of walking 20 ks. far outweigh the 20 cents of DC."

I think you are correct. It seems that transport on a bike by electricity kind of cuts out many of the energy losses from converting sun energy to plants, energy to cultivate, harvest, deliver, prepare for consumption, (not even consider whether it is plant or animal food). Thanks for your comment.

[PhilippeDeChampaigne]

I love this design because 2 wheels don't cut it on ice. I can go 50 kilometers on my electric bike. I think you need lithium batteries. Now we're talkin.

[upcycle]

And it seems that, if necessary, an internal combustion engion (ICE) could be used as a supplemental power source on the trailer to give extended range and power, in particular for colder climates or interim of more advanced power technologies become available.

[gruttewibe76]

Nice vehicle! I hope this becomes a success. This also complements public transport very nicely.

[upcycle]

Thanks for your comment. It seems that travel via trains, planes, and boats could be greatly augmented by providing practical, user friendly space for the carrying of vehicles like this folding electric car.

[desertblbuesman]

Interested in your battery. NiMH or NiCc? 24 V or 48? do you charge the whole pack together at your voltage or break up into smaller series packs? Are you useing a charger especially for NiMH/NiCd? Thanks, nice litte car. Appropriate sized transport. Stay with it. I am working on my first e-bike 2 wheel, 24V and want 10 Amp/hours. So my pack will be same as yours if I can find affordable D cells.

[upcycle]

I believe the batteries shown in this clip were NiCads. NiMH or advance Lithium Polymers are lighter, can hold more energy and be recharged faster and more times than the old nicads. Some people are using the 36volt DeWalt batteries/chargers for their battery systems. look up on youtube

[ScottieDM]

Segway has a white paper on their website which compares the carbon footprint of: the Segway, a scooter, a motorcycle, Toyota Prius, and several cars. This comparison includes energy used for electric generation. Segway wins because of it's tiny size and weight.

This little electric car should also be a winner for the same reason. Plus this device probably goes faster and protects from the weather better.

The Segway is about $4500 (USD).

[Curtisexplorer]

Fuck that!! i love my big 2008 Ford F 150

[ManRayDali]

Awesome design! I would love to have one of these.

But I wonder where this buggy fits in to the Vehicle Code...

Where is the Wike garage located? (country/state/city)

Pedal cars are street legal because they are muscle-powered, and fall into the same category as horse-drawn carriages. I'm sure if I rode one of these on the street in my town, the police would be pulling me over constantly.

[PhilippeDeChampaigne]

Dude, do it anyway. Just do it. If the cops give you trouble, just tell em your story. Whatever ticket you get couldn't be more than paying insurance and gas and license fees and stickers and tune ups and emissions tests and oil changes and all that crap. JUST DO IT. Escape from cops on the bike paths saves you even more money. Trick it out a little. 40 mph shouldn't be too hard. Good escaping speed. IT IS POSSIBLE!!!!

[upcycle]

And a ticket could get the person publicity with the local TV, newspapers, and other media outlets. The person would probably get so much publicity, they will get people donating money to pay the ticket, invitations (with speakers stipend) to speak at events about their vehicle/experience.

[upcycle]

This technology should be very interesting for people living in apartments and/or that use public transit.

If you come across any more info on folding cars of any type send me the info and/or post in the comments. Thanks!

[geoffart]

"But even if that is ture I suppose it's still a lot more efficient then gasoline powered cars. "

you said it - petol engine is only around 27% efficent (in ideal conditions!!). A combustion engined designed to extract max usful work from the fossil fuel, then an electric motor working at around 90% efficeny to use that usful stored energy is the best way to go!

[enviromentalistguy]

I'm confused they say it doesn't run off fossil fuels but isn't quite a lot of the electricity produced from coal burning/gas burning plants? But even if that is ture I suppose it's still a lot more efficient then gasoline powered cars.

[upcycle]

enviromentalistguy wrote:

"I'm confused they say it doesn't run off fossil fuels but isn't quite a lot of the electricity produced from coal burning/gas burning plants?"

electricity can come from multiple sources, including many renewable, environmentally friendly sources, such as solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, to name a few.

[LeviMan2001]

heres why people dont buy it, it looks really, really stupid. otherwise its pretty cool.

[upcycle]

LeviMan2001 wrote:

"heres why people dont buy it, it looks really, really stupid. otherwise its pretty cool."

the reason it is not being made is because it is still in development stage. and the maker is the owner of the Wike bicycle trailers. And it may be that they have not had time to pursue further development.

[roidroid]

I was just pondering recently how to have a light fold-up vehicle that protects the driver from the wind...

FABRIC! what a great idea

[upcycle]

It appears that this folding bike is using the Wike bicycle trailer as it's base frame. I suppose that was done to conserve in manufacturing and tooling costs. Thoughts?

[roidroid]

> Thoughts?

compare it to the Peel P50 (there are youtube vids). You can't fold the Peel up, it has a hard shell. But like the Wike you can pick it up and wheel it around with you. The Wike seems even easier to do this, and the fabric design makes it SUPER light - even better suited.

I really like the idea of a car that you can pick up and take with you, no more garages or parking infrastructure. It's almost as convenient as a bicycle.

[upcycle]

I like the idea of being able to tow a folding light weight trailer when needing more cargo carrying capacity. Interestingly the trailer could also contain it's own electric hub wheels and batteries for providing addition power to propel the vehicle.

[upcycle]

If you like this video, you may like the video news clip on the micro car called "Moonbeam". It is made from old motor scooter parts and gets 100 miles per gallon of gasoline