The Speculist

"Who needs a hybrid?"

Yeah, but imagine if this thing could be engineered as a plug-in hybrid. A lot of the problems with EV's - range, recharge time, etc. Could be addressed by a low weight vehicle like this. This essentially would burn no gas.

The one pictured is a single seater, but I bet that a tandem two seater would sell better - room for groceries or a passenger.

And, I understand that these vehicles are very fun to drive. That tilting technology feels like your downhill skiing - so I've heard.

Stephen, I think the people who currently afford $2.9 million for an efficient green vehicle have someone else do their grocery shopping. :)

Our fuel efficiency would increase if we could greatly reduce weight (i meant the car, although the passengers could probably lose a few pounds too) but this affects the safety. Of course the roads would be safer if everyone were driving lighter vehicles (maybe require special CDL-like licensing to drive vehicles over X weight) the roads would be even safer if primary and secondary highways only admitted cars with autonavigation features to optimize flow. (people should only be allowed to drive TO the highway, then the network should take the responsibility for optimizing your mileage and commute time - which it could do better than a human driver) The roads would be even safer if those who have jobs to which they can be virtually present were allowed to work from home. (get us off the road & out of the commute altogether) Until the current "at your desk" = "working hard" paradigm is 'shifted' I have to keep burning fuel to do my tech job.

I am strongly sympathetic to the designers' intentions, but... One of the reasons the as-designed automobile is so popular is because it is practical. Those 3 extra seats may seem wasted when you're driving to work, but when you need to transport your coworkers to a meeting it is nice to have them. That trunk space may not be needed on most days, but when it is time for a long trip or a jaunt to the lawn & garden store for several bags of mulch, a motorcycle just won't cut it.

Look at the CLEVER and ask yourself: Can you put a "Baby on Board" sticker on it when there's nowhere to put a baby? How do I get my groceries home in that thing?

These same sorts of considerations are why I believe the Segway has gone nowhere in terms of mass popularity.

I would have a blast rocketing around in one of those. It may not be the most practical thing but I bet if they were cheap enough lots of people would buy one.