Create a free Industrial Equipment News account to continue

Foldable Electric Cars Could Transform Urban Transportation

This electric vehicle allows riders to sit or stand in it while they drive around.

An illustration of smart urban vehicle concept, developed by a UNIST design team is expected to debut next year.
An illustration of smart urban vehicle concept, developed by a UNIST design team is expected to debut next year.
UNIST

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) is ready to bring nimble, urban-friendly motoring to South Korea's crowded city centers with a fleet of its brand new ultra-compact foldable electric vehicle for urban mobility.

Besides its absolutely innovative design, this electric vehicle concept will feature lightweight body and stunning performance.

On June 2, 2016, a UNIST design team, led by Prof. Yunwoo Jung (School of Design and Human Engineering) unveiled a brand new electric car design that could transform urban transportation.

In collaboration with Power Plaza, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in South Korea, UNIST will carry out this project as part of its "Smart Urban Vehicle Manufacturing Project." The project aims to address the challenges of living in increasingly congested cities and minimizing the amount of personal-use energy we consume.

"This is a small, folding and smart electric car, but it is also much more than that," says Prof. Jeong.

This new urban-friendly electric vehicle, tentatively named "E-Urban Mobility" folds up for easy transport and provides vertical and horizontal adjustment, which allows riders sit or stand in it while they drive around. The manufacturing process will be greener, and the components lighter, leading to reduced vehicle emissions.

Work has begun on developing a prototype version of the E-Urban Mobility electric vehicle concept for use in cities. This electric vehicle is expected to debut as early as next year and hopefully revealed at the Seoul Motor Show 2017.

UNIST President Mooyoung Jung states, "Universities and industry have been collaborating for over a century, but this is first time the two organizations collaborate to produce prototype electric vehicles for smart urban mobility." He adds, "Through well-balanced collaboration, we will make greener, lighter electric vehicles for use in cities, proving how clean easy urban motoring can be."

More in Product Development