Automotive

Kenguru, the first drive-from-wheelchair EV, enters production

Kenguru, the first drive-from-wheelchair EV, enters production
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
View 14 Images
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
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The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
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Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
The Kenguru has only a single door to the rear of the vehicle for direct wheelchair access
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The Kenguru has only a single door to the rear of the vehicle for direct wheelchair access
Power from the batteries is delivered to two 2-kW motors located on the rear axle
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Power from the batteries is delivered to two 2-kW motors located on the rear axle
Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
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Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
Power from the batteries is delivered to two 2-kW motors located on the rear axle
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Power from the batteries is delivered to two 2-kW motors located on the rear axle
Motorcycle-style handlebars provide steering, though a joystick-controlled version is currently in development
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Motorcycle-style handlebars provide steering, though a joystick-controlled version is currently in development
Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
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Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
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The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
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Kenguru has a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles)
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
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The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
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The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
The Kenguru has only a single door to the rear of the vehicle for direct wheelchair access
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The Kenguru has only a single door to the rear of the vehicle for direct wheelchair access
The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
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The Kenguru drive-from-wheelchair electric car
View gallery - 14 images

Though its undoubtedly true to say that mobility vehicles designed for wheelchair access exist, like AM General's MV-1 these generally relegate the wheelchair user to backseat passenger. Vehicles that do allow a wheelchair behind the controls are expensive made-to-order conversions of people carriers and mini-buses. The Kenguru is about as far from a people carrier as it's possible to get, being a small nimble electric vehicle, but one designed specifically for quick, easy access by, and driving from, a wheelchair. Its makers claim it is the first drive-from-wheelchair electric car.

The Kenguru has only a single door to the rear of the vehicle for direct wheelchair access. It's opened by remote control. Inside the driver is nestled in a 350-kg (772-lb) fiberglass cocoon 2125 mm (83.6 in) long, 1620 mm (63.8 in) wide and 1525 m (60 in) tall. That's 375 mm (14.8 in) shorter than a smart fortwo, and only 15 mm (0.6 in) wider: extremely compact, in other words. Empty weight with the batteries increases to 550 kg (1200 lb).

Power from the batteries is delivered to two 2-kW motors located on the rear axle. These afford a maximum speed of 45 km/h (28 mph), a range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles) and a climbing ability limited to 20-percent gradients - modest, but Kenguru is positioned very much for short inner-city trips (the phrase "enough is as good as a feast" irresistibly springs to mind). Motorcycle-style handlebars provide steering, though a joystick-controlled version is currently in development.

Initially developed by Hungarian company Kenguru Services, the Kenguru has design is at least six years old. It was spotted by Texan lawyer Stacy Zoern (a wheelchair user herself) who setup Community Cars which now manufacturers Kengurus in Pflugerville.

The Kenguru is priced at US$25,000, but that this can be significantly reduced where electric vehicle or vocational rehabilitation incentives are available. The vehicle is set for a US launch in 6 to 12 months. Distribution in a number of European countries should follow. Community Cars is currently seeking investment through RocketHub to develop the joystick-controlled model.

Source: Kenguru

View gallery - 14 images
17 comments
17 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think it is really cool looking and really neat for those who are in a wheelchair who want to drive. I think it would be great for downtown trips where the speed limit is low; like an NEV for those in wheelchairs. :)
I think it is more practical than this motorcycle; especially if it rains or other inclement weather. http://www.mobilityworks.com/wheelchair-motorcycle.php
JPAR
$25,000 ! Yep, can see those fly out of the shop. Anyway, bit late, they've been around for 60 years in the Uk.... http://www.3wheelers.com/endinva.html
Slowburn
A mobility scooter with a shell.
Michael Mantion
The irony is if a mobile person were to drive this and get hit by an SUV they would most certainly need a wheel chair.
Billy Brooks
Three main problems with this concept: 1. Cost! 2. No storage area. 3. Speed (top speed of 60mph would be more like it). Have an electric motor coupled to a CVT would help with that.
pointyup
Cost, should be in the range of up to $5000, should have a tilt out front storage box big enough for a weeks shopping. Saw this type of thing before, but it had one front wheel and 2stroke power with out a roof. I would be interested if I could take it up a shopping isle.
Dawar Saify
It would be good to integrate a powered wheelchair with a cacoon. The wheelchair's battery and wheels shared with the cocoon. The wheelchair itself would have to be quite powerful. The cocoon put on as desired. .
Chris Jordan
This project has been in my photo album 5 to 10 years. I have visually customized wheelchairs for my use many years, and thought this would look great with pinstripes, fading, lace patterns, etc. I very much like the idea, but people usually think I am off my rocker when I drive my flame-painted power wheelchair! I am afraid custom painting this Kenguru might be too much!
dgate
It would bre interesting to know how much this would cost if made in Hungary or China instead of the US. Another example of high cost on the home market no doubt in part to fleece the vocational rehabilitation incentives program. Something as simple as this should not be this expensive. Its also funny how armchair detractors find fault with a much needed mobility device but will justify Harleys,quad bikes,in fact any toy that gives them a buzz or makes them feel part of the crowd, None of which has safety equipment.
bergamot69
@Jpar,
This is a very different proposition to the 'Invacar' product- that 'invalid car' (to use its very non-PC official description) was powered by a rear-mounted petrol engine.
This electric version does not require the owner to decamp from a wheelchair in order to drive it, as the driver used his/her own wheelchair. The 'Invacar' was therefore only suitable for users who were capable of using a non-powered wheelchair, and was therefore far less versatile. The 'Invacar' was notoriously overpowered for a tiny 3 wheeler and extremely dangerous. This electric vehicle is unlikely to win any awards for driver safety either, but at least when carrying a user with an electric wheelchair (which tend to weigh over 100kgs on their own) the centre of gravity should be fairly low. So for short urban journeys this looks to be a real winner.
dgate above makes a good point about armchair detractors finding fault with mobility devices but justify Harleys, Quad Bikes, etc. Certainly there are risks for the user with this vehicle, but the benefits of social inclusivity are immense.
Hope to see an affordable version in the UK soon.
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