A solution to the world’s urban transportation problems could be in two wheels, not four, according to executives for General Motors and Segway. The companies today announced they are working together to develop a two-wheel, two-seat electric vehicle designed to be a fast, safe, inexpensive and clean alternative to traditional cars and trucks for cities across the world.
The Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, or PUMA, project also would involve a vast communications network that would allow vehicles to interact with each other, regulate the flow of traffic and prevent crashes from happening. “We’re excited about doing more with less,” said Jim Norrod, chief executive of Segway, the Bedford, N.H.-based maker of electric scooters. “Less emissions, less dependability on foreign oil and less space.”
The 300-pound prototype runs on a lithium-ion battery and uses Segway’s characteristic two-wheel balancing technology, along with dual electric motors. It’s designed to reach speeds of up to 35 mph and can run 35 miles on a single charge. The companies did not release a projected cost for the vehicle but said ideally its total operating cost — including purchase price, insurance, maintenance and fuel — would total one-fourth to one-third of that of the average traditional vehicle. For more information and a look at the PUMA, click here.
