These vehicle designs bring the
idea into the 21st century and take it a step further. They are tilting
three-wheelers. They have more cornering power than ordinary four-wheel cars because
they lean into curves like motorcycles. Occupants feel none of the sideways force
common in conventional cars. Can you imagine the design possibilities for new types
of personal mobility products based on this concept?
Energy efficiency relies on low mass, as
opposed to high-tech power systems. And it’s an idea that hasn’t gone entirely
unnoticed by car makers, as demonstrated by the Mercedes F300.
Vehicles like these point the way to new types of
products that will sort of seduce consumers into reducing the energy intensity of personal
mobility. Not necessarily because they are greener. And it’ll happen when
car makers discover the right formula for making lots of money by selling people on the
idea that they need a new toy - that it’s more fun to have different types of
vehicles for routine transportation needs.
"Design" alone truly has the potential to impact the
energy intensity of personal mobility.
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