Toyota kicks up on-road trials of car-motorbike hybrid vehicle
Three years ago Toyota debuted its three-wheeled electric vehicle urban mobility solution called i-Road that combines the potential of cars and motorbikes. Now, the company will launch its second round of trials, bringing the vehicle one step closer to hitting the roads and changing transportation.
The second round of the project involves other companies as well as the general public in order realize the full potential of Toyota’s i-Road ultra-compact concept electric vehicle (EV).
Toyota will provide the i-Road to general consumers as test pilots for a fixed duration. In order to further understand the potential market for i-Road, Toyota will also provide a few vehicles to businesses in the second installment of the project, in order to assess their needs and the ultra-compact EV’s acceptability in the market, including how it will be used in shared-use environments and their usage purposes.
Toyota will also gradually increase the number of locations where associated services―such as exclusive parking spots (with some offering charging services)―are available during the trial period. Toyota will also develop and try out other new services when appropriate.
The project’s progress will be published regularly on this specially established web page.
Ninety-six test pilots were chosen from approximately 3,500 applicants to participate in round one of the project, which ended recently. According to Toyota, the responses were generally positive, with some participants stating that, “the i-Road is really convenient because I can park it in very small spaces,” and “my range of travel has expanded because the i-Road helps me go anywhere easily” among others.
The ultra compact “i-Road” is less than three-feet wide, which allows it to navigate confined spaces. It can run without using the entire lane on crowded highways, and only needs about a half of a parking space, when compared to the average vehicle.
Learn more about the i-Road vehicle and its benefits here.
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