There seem to be a growing number and variety of small city-focused electric cars. Although I wonder about the safety of these lightweight vehicles, you can’t deny them for their fuel efficiency or their compact size. A recent addition to this category is the Casple-Podadera.
Designed for two people, this little car lets you fold its rear wheels up and under when parking to let you park in spaces usually reserved for motorcycles. Created by Spanish designer Francisco Podadera and Burgos business group Casple, its condensed 1.9 meter (6.2 feet) frame makes it perfect for holding groceries yet by extending to its full 2.3 meter (7.5 feet) length, stability and ride comfort are increased. Folding its wheel base lets you back vertically into a spot no wider than a Nissan Versa.
With a supposedly spacious interior, it has a unique tubular framework, with key crash zones that increase passenger safety. Based on driving simulations, the city car has an urban range of roughly 130 kilometers (80 miles), with a top speed of 110 km/h (66 mph) and an energy rating of 95 Wh/km (153 Wh/mile). It also boasts an acceleration rate of zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11 seconds. With doors that pivot up and away as they open to protect from the elements, it looks like a nifty and practical (and fun) car to have in the big city.