Having a physical disability is extremely tough, and simple act of getting on with whatever needs doing in a day can be a challenge, so it’s admirable that many people get over their malfunctioning bodies and just live their lives. Such people shouldn’t be confined to just using a wheelchair or the kind of thing we’re used to seeing.
Why not drive an EV specially designed for people in wheelchairs? Well, the Kenguru EV is a vehicle purposely designed to fit one person in a wheelchair snugly inside – it also looks rather cute and funky as well. The model isn’t currently in production, with its American and Hungarian parents not having the necessary funds to do so. That’s why their site has no ‘Buy’ option for the Kanguru, instead having an ‘Investors Wanted’ banner.
The Kenguru has a fiberglass body shell, a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph) and has a more than respectable range of between 70 and 110 km (43 and 68 miles). It is expected to cost somewhere in the region of €20,000 (INR 14lakh approx.), which is extremely steep considering it’s not a particularly advanced piece of transportation tech.
If they find investors, they should reduce the price considerably before launching it, because at the expected price level, it’s far far too expensive for what it is. No matter how admirable the intention, people with disabilities really don’t want to pay that much for something which, if it weren’t sold and marketed for them, would be much cheaper. Oh, it also looks exactly like a big piece of cheese. (See more pictures and technical specification of Kenguru EV below the jump)
For more information log on to their website – www.kenguru.com
See more pictures of Kenguru EV Car –
Technical Specifications 0f Kenguru EV –
Engine
- Rear wheel belt drive, with 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors for each wheel
- Performance: 2Kw/150Nm per
- Motor Operating Voltage: 32V AC
- Vehicle Supply Voltage 48V DC
- Brushless internal Rotor
- Running Gear
- Independent double wishbone wheel suspensing in the front
- Twin single sided swingarms in the back
- Shock absorber with adjustable preload
- 4 hydraulic disc brakes
- Electro-mechanical parking brake
- Locking brake operating on the front wheels
- Rimsize: 12*2, 2
- Wheelsize: 12×2.2 inches
- Tire size: 100/ 90-12
Chassis
- Fiberglass body on steel frame
- Doors: 1
- Seats: Room for one driver with wheelchair
Dimensions and Weight
- Wheelbase: 1550 mm
- Length: 2125 mm
- Width: 1620 mm
- Height: 1525 mm
- Empty weight without driver: 550Kg
- Empty weight without driver and batteries: 350Kg
- Allowed total weight: 660 Kg
Driving Performance
- Maximum Speed: 45 Km/h
- Climbing Ability: 20%
- Range: 70-110 km
Operation
- Steering via Motorcycle handlebar (via Joystick from 2012)
- LED display on dashboard
- Electrical door opening system controlled via remote control
