Sunday, January 29, 2012

Foldable electric car debuts in Europe

The car, called Hiriko, is powered by four in-wheel motors that each turn a full 90 degrees.

Hiriko, which is Basque for "urban," made its debut at a ceremony Jan. 24 by José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission in Brussels.

With electric motors in the wheels, there's no need for a gas tank or traditional gasoline engine, transmission and gearbox, allowing the rear of the car to slip under the chassis.

When folded, three of the cars can fit in one traditional parking space.

The cars have a reported range of 100 km (62 miles) per charge, making them well suited for in-city driving in compact European cities already accustomed to small, fuel-efficient vehicles.

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