Tag Archives: electric vehicle

Fully-electric M One electric moped folds into its frame, easily fits in the boot of your car

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The pint-sized Honda Motocompo scooter manufactured in 1981 could easily fit inside the boot of a car, and understandably over the years, there’ve been many iterations inspired by this design. Another resounding nod to the 49cc folding two-wheeler in the electrified era is the M One e-scooter.

Designed by Shanghai-based startup, FELO, the electric scooter is an electric Motocompo that urban riders have been longing for so long, and finally bestowed with one. The two-wheeler made its first appearance at the ongoing 2023 Tokyo Motorcycle Show which apparently is also the 50th anniversary of the mega event.

Designer: FELO

The compact moped is a tad lighter than the Motocompo weighing just 82 pounds and similar in dimensions measuring 45.6 inches x 22 inches x 33.8 inches. Of course, it gets a major overhaul (for comparison’s sake) in the form of a 400-watt 1.34-hp hub motor powered by the 48V, 20-Ah Lithium-ion battery pack. Just so that you know, the battery pack has a 220VAC 50Hz outlet that can power up your gadgets or household appliances courtesy of the V2L (vehicle to load) capability.

According to FELO, the M One will be able to churn out a range of 62 miles on one full charge if the rider maintains an average speed of 15 mph. Although there is no mention of the top speed yet, the e-bike could max out at around 20-30 mph on the speedometer. That’s very similar to what Motocompo could eke out, and no one’s complaining since top speeds aren’t a major talking point with such a compact set of wheels by any stretch of the imagination.

The whole point of a small folding moped is to have a commuter that can make the quick trip to the local market without getting stuck in traffic or maybe driving on congested roads that aren’t big enough for a four-wheeler or even a standard bike. That novelty of folding down the handlebars, footpegs, collapsible fork and seat into the robust magnesium-aluminum body frame, allows the M One to easily be hauled in a family car or the bed of a MUV.

M One’s compact form factor gives it a huge advantage in urban setups and the fact that it will hit the roads in Q4 2023 – initially in China and maybe Japan as well – makes it an even more exciting prospect. The fully electric two-wheeler will be priced at around $2,900 which is not a bad deal for times when city commuting demands compact vehicles like this one.

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A compact outdoorsy hatchback designed those who love their food and adventures

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Off-road campers and RVs give adventure seekers a way to explore the grand outdoors without compromising on the cozy comforts of their homes. The options with current-generation campers are impressive if you have the money to spend.

The more stuff that’s in there in your home on wheels, the greater the size of the rig. For someone who wants to have all the essential appliances for a weekend trip to the nearby hills, a compact vehicle with a new-age set of devices is the way to go.

Designer: Taehyun Kim

This is Haven, a compact electric vehicle for the younger generation who like things to be minimalistic but without giving up on the luxury of cooking lip-smacking delicacies in middle of the quaint wilderness. The four-door hatchback is a fully autonomous concept proposed for users who don’t want the jargon of a camper or off-road vehicle; but rather a set of wheels that’s compact enough for the city, while being equally good on a short expedition.

The idea is to have a level 5 autonomy vehicle (god knows when we’ll reach there) with a customized set of appliances to match the lifestyle of adventurous Gen-Z. Taehyun has real-life situations at the back of his mind, thus, the design of doors and windows translates into the requisite form factor. When parked on the cliffside, the four-door hatchback’s falcon doors open up to double as a temporary awning. Those panoramic windows let the riders enjoy the openness. For sleeping, the foldable tent on the roof can be pitched in a jiffy, just like on any other off-road vehicle.

The appliances with UI interface stored in the rear section of the car include a refrigerator with a wine cellar, and an all-in-one cooker. Everything is gesture controller, right from opening up the storage cabin for these appliances to the easy operation for cooking delicacies in a picturesque backdrop. Perhaps the ideal vehicle for foodie adventurers.

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This small refrigerator on wheels was designed with electric vehicles in mind

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We’re still far away from giving up on fuel oil, but more people are thankfully adopting electric cars, which can be a bit more sustainable if you get power from renewable sources. For now, most probably see these EVs as ways to get around cities, often for commuting to work and over short distances. As their numbers grow, however, so would the number of charging stations scattered throughout highways. This would make it possible to take these battery-powered cars for longer trips, maybe even for outdoor camping. Given it already runs on batteries, it might be possible to power other appliances from it directly, which is what this portable fridge concept is going for, in a way that makes it look like it was part of the EV right from the start.

Designers: Joeun Kim, janchi

There are, of course, plenty of portable refrigerators in the market today built with a wide variety of designs. Some look like giant ice coolers, while there are those that look like you just unplugged your home fridge and shrunk it to fit. Fridze, which is a play on the brand that has become synonymous with the appliance, instead tries to look more like a part of an electric vehicle. Or at least what an electric SUV or camper might look like if those became more common. In other words, Fridze looks sleek, futuristic, and minimalist, almost like it would be out of place on dirty camping grounds.

It does look and move like a suitcase, though, a very bulky and solid one at that. Two wheels on the back and a telescopic handle would be similar to what you’d see on most luggage, while a thick U-bar on the front keeps it from toppling forward. The use of mostly straight lines and flat edges almost resemble some EV charging boxes, but this one actually takes rather than gives power to EVs.

Portable refrigerators naturally need to draw electricity, of course, and most of them will draw power from the car via a car charger. There are portable power stations these days for that purpose, but not many have them. That lighter port is still the most common method, but it’s also wasteful in converting to the type of power that a fridge would need. Fridze, in contrast, would plug directly into the EV’s batteries and siphon power from there. It does have a small battery of its own for those moments when it can’t be connected to the car, like when moving it from one place to another.

In all other aspects, the fridge works just like any other, except for the top that reveals holders for drinks to keep them cool. The idea behind Fridze probably isn’t that revolutionary, and it’s a logical conclusion that would eventually arrive as more cars become electric. Its design, however, would perfectly match the EV aesthetic, even if it would clash with everything else that would stay at home anyway.

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This futuristic cyberpunk motorbike uses a hydrogen fuel cell that provides 100% clean energy

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Meet Hydra, an e-bike with a difference. Unlike traditional electric motorcycles that rely on a powertrain that pulls energy from a lithium-ion battery, Hydra offers an alternate, much more experimental solution – hydrogen fuel cells. Although still in its infancy, hydrogen fuel cells promise absolutely clean energy. Unlike gasoline-powered engines, the fuel cells have zero harmful emissions, and unlike traditional lithium-ion battery EVs, hydrogen fuel cells do away with toxic battery acids that can potentially wreak havoc on the environment if not disposed of properly. In fact, when fueled with pure hydrogen, the only by-products are heat and water (hence the name Hydra), making the technology a zero-emission, sustainable power source.

Designers: Anton Guzhov, Anton Brousseau & André Taylforth

Although the technology itself is rather fascinating, what’s more appealing here is the designers’ treatment of the motorcycle, giving it an entirely distinct new form factor to hat-tip the fact that this isn’t your average gas-powered vehicle. The Hydra is undeniably cyberpunk, with the clever use of straight lines to define forms and curves only to round off edges. The bike isn’t lithe or aerodynamic, but rather has an almost robotic appeal with its affinity for straight lines and simple geometric shapes. Hydra’s front is dominated by a large block which serves as the hydrogen fuel cell. The engine sits right below the cantilever seat, powering the rear wheel directly.

The Hydra sports a beautiful translucent fairing, which reveals the complexities inside and provides the perfect contrast against the other carbon fiber components used around the e-bike.

A look at the Hydra under its fairing gives a better idea of its underlying tech. Even for a motorcycle that’s entirely conceptual at the moment, the level of detail and planning gone into executing this design is just staggering.

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This boomerang-shaped urban mobility vehicle fairs well for rough adventures too

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The vehicles we’ll see on the roads in a decade’s time will be radically different from what we have at present. Design language will change a lot, as hinted by the concepts and prototypes put together by big names and budding automotive designers.

The focus definitely will be on personal mobility in the most sustainable manner possible. Compact vehicles that will trade off the greatest of luxuries for a more sensible method of commuting will be the norm. This boomerang-shaped two-seater vehicle with multiple use-case scenarios is different from what we’ve seen so far. Even in the automotive landscape dominated by some really bizarre vehicle concepts.

Designer: Artem Smirnov

Christened PIX-L7, the vehicle should be electric motor powered given we’re talking about a future-forward design. The buggy influence is very much evident here with panning fog lights on the front and guard rails over the course of the top body which speaks about the ability to go off-roading when needed. During the normal course, the EV can be a travel buddy for two or used for short hauls of cargo delivery given the ability to convert into a load carrier. The latter is achieved with the different modules that give the owners freedom to carry a bicycle, sensitive cargo, or simply luggage for the next couple trip to the rockies.

The concept car looks quite tough while retaining a very cheeky element of modern that you’ll appreciate. The dimensions look apt for tight urban spaces and the respectable ride height is reassurance for short out-of-city adventures. The peculiar V-shaped body leaves room for ample cargo in the back when the delivery module is attached. The off-roading avatar of the PIX-L7 is what I’m rooting for here owing to the possibility of taking this ride for an adventure unknown. Just look at that cool shape evoked by the bull bars and the shovel on the front!

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Top 10 electric vehicles of July 2022

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In a world where sustainability is running on everyone’s mind, and the consumption of fossil fuels is quite literally looked down upon – Electric vehicles have been slowly and steadily taking over the world! Electric vehicles ditch the age-old fossil fuels and instead run on large traction battery packs which are in turn powered via charging equipment. They may not run on engines, but they still manage to be sleek, swift, and powerful. And, we’ve curated a collection of EV designs that we felt were the best of the lot! From an electric train with a transparent panoramic roof to a MUJI x Honda electric bike – these innovative and groundbreaking automotives promise to be the future of urban commute and automobiles!

1. The Muji Honda MS01 electric bike

Meet the Muji Honda MS01 electric bike inspired by the MUJI H-Type bicycle. The black and white theme on this one is a testament to the MUJI’s mellowed-down styling – in fact, the company’s artistic director Kenya Hara did most of the design bit of the bike himself. All the equipment and power of the MS01 come from the house of Honda. It is a very balanced collaboration, resulting in this minimalist two-wheeler ideal for city rides and beyond.

2. The Citroën La 2 Deuche Concept

Dubbed the Citroën La 2 Deuche Concept, this cheeky mini car has a sense of airiness to it. Retro DNA of the vehicle is visible in the section over the wheels, the headlights, and the accordion-like retracting rooftop which turns it into a convertible. According to Jean the styling is picked from the simple lines and silhouette of the inspiration – particularly the Charleston version. The rest of it has the more modern profiling – especially the side profile and rear. Those taillights and the wheels do give off the futuristic vibe, and as far as the exterior goes, it ends there.

3. WAYRA EV-03

WAYRA EV-03 is a bike high on personality, created keeping in mind the heritage of fat-bikes and cruiser-length bikes, while also having those minimal eye-catchy modern touches to create visual appeal. The presence of café racer aesthetics can also not be denied owing to the low-slung rider positioning. The element of drag racing is evident courtesy of the stretched rear, but the high ride height gives off that dirt bike racer vibe too.

4. AIRSCP

This electric train comes with a two-tiered seating system, offering the ability to carry more passengers per trip. The AIRSCP’s design, however, isn’t like your average train. It comes with a sprawling cockpit for the driver, complete with a wide windshield and a display on the top that lets people know where the train’s headed. People enter the train through doors on the sides and can either be seated on the lower tier or head to the upper tier for a more immersive experience.

5. The GYMO-FIT

This concept bike doubles as a two-wheeler at least and doesn’t sit in a lonely corner in your living room, in case you give up on your fitness regime. It’s a combination of an electric bike with aerobic and anaerobic fitness equipment. GYMO has three different modes when parked sturdily on the stand. It has the obvious exercise bike mode for strengthening the leg muscle group, rowing machine mode for working out the back and shoulder muscles, and the abdominal exerciser for strengthening the core.

6. DeLorean E

This concept rendering by transportation designer Onkar H takes a dig at what a DeLorean of the future will be like. Of course, it has to be electric to stand a chance of longevity in the closely contested automotive market that’s going through a metamorphosis for an electric vehicle-dominated near future. An electric DeLorean E powered by 4 high-performance motors and a mid-mounted battery pack is what the passionate fans will take with both hands. After all, it kills two birds with one stone – owning a classic piece of history that doesn’t sound alienated in the EV landscape.

7. The GRAVITY electric bicycle

Most electric bikes and hybrids use a motor to either drive the bicycle’s gears or at the very least assist the biker’s pedaling. Unlike motorcycles, these run on electricity and not fuel, so their carbon emissions are reduced although still present. In addition to the power bill, however, you are also paying for the cost of the weight of the batteries and motor, even when you’re just using your feet to drive the vehicle. In contrast, the GRAVITY electric bicycle design concept lets you have the best of both worlds, and riders can easily switch between two modes whenever they need or feel like it.

8. The Zeva Zero

The Zeva Zero definitely looks more like a flying saucer than a flying car, even if the goals and some of the technologies are similar to other attempts at making personal transport vehicles that traverse the skies to avoid earth-bound traffic. For one, it utilizes vertical take-off and landing, a.k.a. VTOL, more similar to a helicopter than an airplane. On the one hand, this has the benefit of saving parking space, so to speak, because the flying saucer launches and lands in an upright position, contrary to what you’d expect from a flying disc. This even has the advantage of allowing the Zeva Zero to “dock” vertical against walls of buildings with a system that the startup calls the SkyDock.

9. The EQUULEUS electric mountain patrol bike

Rethinking how a mountain patrol motorbike ought to be, the EQUULEUS electric mountain patrol bike beckons to the future of crime-fighting. This two-wheeler concept is built keeping in mind the riding safety and ample space to keep all the essential tools and equipment. In turn, the forest rangers can patrol inhospitable regions with utmost confidence and freedom to take all the essentials along. Even better, the storage modules loaded in the different sections of the bike are completely detachable, so, the rider can tag along tools in the most organized manner possible.

10. The Popup Scooter

Christened the Popup Scooter, the two-wheeled electric bicycle transforms into a chick kick scooter and the other way around. This gives the rider (and his/her family and buddies) the option to choose the configuration depending on the particular needs. The smooth transformation happens courtesy of the hydraulic cylinder which in normal bicycles is used to adjust the ride height. This hydraulic mechanism is capable enough to lift an adult person, so, lifting and lowering the ride’s body shouldn’t be a problem at all. At the core level, the concept is not just another blueprint that looks good on paper but falls flat on its face when it comes to creating the actual prototype or even a production model.

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This performance-centric electric motorbike is a café racer, cruiser bike and dragster all-in-one

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We’ve seen a number of concept bikes featuring outlandish designs – some are genuinely cool while others are penned just for the sake of it. The WAYRA EV-03 electric cruiser motorcycle is a 100 percent no gimmick concept that’ll please every kind of rider – be it a cruiser enthusiast, performance lover or off-roading fanatic.

Keeping in mind the transition towards a cleaner future for vehicles, the rugged yet elegant-looking motorcycle is inspired by the perfect blend of nostalgic memories, definitive styles and the cult favorite tendencies ignited by great brands. Things like the overall frame construction, shape of the powerful engines or the length of the exhaust pipe.

Designer: Pablo Baranoff Dorn

WAYRA EV-03 is a bike high on personality, created keeping in mind the heritage of fat-bikes and cruiser-length bikes, while also having those minimal eye-catchy modern touches to create visual appeal. The presence of café racer aesthetics can also not be denied owing to the low-slung rider positioning. The element of drag racing is evident courtesy of the stretched rear, but the high ride height gives off that dirt bike racer vibe too. The designer drapes the ride in red and silver over the black matte, with an intent to avoid decals for gimmicky looks. The curved body embraces the tank, and the lines that follow the shape are colored – thereby everything centers on the logo and what lays below the tank.

Keeping in with the fusion of retro and modern, the bike gets an onboard display that has a retro digital typeface and interactive screen with the GPS map. The app on your phone mirrors onto the bike display so that everything stays in sync when you have a busy lifestyle. Since we are talking of a cleaner future, the cocktail bike has an optimized battery pack that keeps all your gadgets charged without compromising the bike’s performance or economy.

The fog lights are placed low and get a ring of LEDs with a diffuse area so as to prevent blindness for oncoming drivers. The focused light from the headlights is dispersed so that oncoming traffic sees it as a bigger lit shape coming towards you rather than an irksome light source.

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This retro modern pedal-assisted utility bike for city riders who value practicality

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Everyone has their eyes lit up wide at the sight of a cool bike that is an instant heartthrob.  The muscular build, powerful innards and the eye candy paintjobs, those sexy two-wheelers are blessed with. But, ultimately we all need that reliable city commuter to get us through chalk and cheese of the buy lifestyle.

The DIDI Bike is the perfect example of a solo commuter that’s nimble enough to take on the snaking roads, and easy enough to park in crowded city streets. This two wheeler is more or less built for those quick trips to the supermarket for picking up groceries or enjoy the solo rides on a moonlit night.

Designer: 鲁 艺聪 (Lu Yicong)

An electric scooter at heart, it is pedal-powered for most part keeping the eco-conscious lot in mind. On flat terrain the DIDI Bike is better off assisted with the power of legs – that ways fitness is also taken care of. For roads with slight degree of elevation, the scooter’s electric motor kicks-in to save you from all the hard work. A front carrier is a nod to the classic utility two-wheelers native to the Asian continent.

Adding a modern touch to the classic utility bikes seen on the Chinese streets, the designer incorporates LED headlights, sleek taillights and a display for all the vital details. Things like battery level, current speed and important notifications from mobile devices. The dual toned finish in sea green and grey or the cool white and light grey adds contrasting look for a sober yet uber cool character.

There are not much details about the technical specifications to judge the bike’s capabilities, but it should be good enough for normal city commutes, I assume. A nice blend of classic and modern is what makes this one special.

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Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV is a personal mobile studio on four wheels for content creators

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Hyundai has just taken the drapes off of its next-generation Ioniq 6 electrified sedan, and after our exploits with the Ioniq 5, we can’t wait to get our hands on this baby when it finally hits the road. At the premiere event during the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea – SangYup Lee, EVP and design head – Hyundai described the car as a “personal mobile studio” and for good reason.

The Ioniq 6’s dreamy digital world premiere video takes one on a ride into the future where the lines between the virtual and real world are blurred, opening up the possibility for flexible lifestyle and awakening skills. The sedan will be directly pitted against the Tesla Model 3, and joins the line-up of electric vehicles under the Ioniq sub-brand. The EV shares its automotive components with the boxier Ioniq 5, and gets even more features than the SUV.

Designer: Hyundai 

The four-door electrified streamliner gives you the option to break the monotony of WFH regimes or boring office routines to elevate creativity levels. The electric car is a reliable commuter and a movable compact studio on wheels for work liberation. The 64 different color schemes for the interiors, and to match them are the six pre-loaded themes. These ambient lights can also be customized to go brighter as the car speeds up.

The Porsche-like streamlined silhouette with a cozy cocoon-shaped interior made out of plastic bottles and fishing net material is highlighted by the remote working features including a center with a foldable tabletop console capable of holding a laptop or your vlogging setup. There are two 12-inch screens – one of them being employed for dedicated notes application. To keep the gadgets juiced up, the console has four USB-C ports and one USB-A port. Cabin space on the inside is maximized by slimming down the car seats by 33 percent without compromising on comfort. In the complete lounging mode, the front seats can lean back completely for the odd nap.

Ioniq 6 has a drag coefficient of 0.21 to reduce the power consumption to 14KWh per 100 km. The electrified sedan has an estimated range of 379 miles with a 77.4-kWh battery. When available, the users will also get the option to go for the slightly lesser 53-kWh battery option. The top-of-the-line model of the sedan is capable of going from 0-62.14 mph in just 5.1 seconds flat. The Ioniq 6 sedan will cost more than the $40,925 starting price of the Ionic 5, and will be positioned between the Ionic 5 and the Ioniq 7 SUV slated for the 2024 release.

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This autonomous travel pod boasts minimalistic design + organic social interactions

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Lately, we’ve seen a number of mobility concepts that promote lounging and interiors advocating social interaction. The Agora-e mobility concept is yet another future-forward city commuter that lays emphasis on personal social interaction. Envisioned to bring a zero-emission autonomous means of transportation to Hong Kong and the thickly populated suburbs of Southern China, the pod will set the example for sustainable transportation in the other major metropolis as well.

Dubbed Agora E, the electric ride is inspired by the public gathering spaces in Greek cities. The naming convention comes from the word “agora” which means to “gather together.” More like a pod, the autonomous four-wheeled public transport vehicle has an interior that triggers instant conversations and meaningful interactions. There’s a continuous circular seating in green color, wherein the passengers sit facing each other, and the inward space is left open for luggage, wheelchair, or standing passengers.

Designer: Andrea Ponti

For the standing passengers, there’s a circular rail on top of the roof to hold onto for those bumpy rides. Agora E, unlike other similar travel pods – envisioned for future cities – this concept keeps things to the bare minimum. There are no interactive screens or over-the-top inclusions that in practical usage will not make much sense. There’s only one display that shows the current routes in the waypoints to keep passengers updated about their destination, and the real-time weather. There are clear glass doors and a tinted roof to keep the interiors of this travel pod well lit. This makes sense during peak hours of traveling so that passengers don’t feel bogged down or congested.

Cities in the future will undoubtedly be more crowded than ever, so Andrea has kept the design compact – more on the elongated side and with less width. The wheels on the electric commuter are on the smaller side for agility and a shorter turning radius. Agora E will help in breaking the ice for travelers after a long day’s work – that is, if they’re not glued to their smartphones, ignorant about what’s happening in their periphery!

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