Toyota, Grenoble partner to test future of urban transport

Seventy Toyota "i-Road" and "Coms" ultra-compact electric vehicles will be available in a car-sharing scheme, promoting interconnectivity between public and private electrified personal transport. Vehicles can be charged at around 30 charging stations managed by Sodetrel (EDF Group) and located close to public transport stops. Called Citélib by Ha:Mo, this innovative service is ready for pre-registration by Grenoble commuters on www.citelib.com and will be operational for a three-year real-life test.

Connected to the public transport system's IT infrastructure, this new car-sharing scheme will complement Citélib, the current car-sharing service of Grenoble, by allowing users to pick up one of the small EVs at one location and drop it off at another. The project also aims to promote interconnectivity of public transport methods (trams, buses, trains) and a new type of personal mobility using small vehicles that don't take up as much space as a normal car. The main idea is to allow commuters to drive the first or last kilometres of their journey for increased flexibility and time saving, thus contributing to reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in city centres.

The Toyota i-Road (two-seater, three-wheel with Active Lean technology) introduces a completely new and fun way to drive. Very compact, it combines the exceptional handling of a motorcycle or a scooter with the comfort and stability of a car. Four i-Roads occupy the footprint of a single car.

Toyota i-Road technical specifications (Tokyo and Toyota City test model)

Overall length (mm): 2.345
Overall width (mm): 870
Overall height (mm): 1.455
Wheelbase (mm): 1695
Kerb weight (kg): 300
Tyre size - front: 80/90R16
Tyre size - rear: 120/90R10
Min. turning radius (m): 3.0
Powertrain: 2 electric motors
Max. speed (km/h): 56
Cruising range on single charge (km): 50 (at steady 30 km/h)
Battery type: Lithium-ion

A look at Ha:mo, Toyota's optimised urban transport system. Ha:mo has been trialled near Toyota's headquarters in Japan, and will soon be expanded to Grenoble, France.

Toyota's i-Road compact electric personal mobility vehicle takes to the streets in Japan's capital. Participants in the limited public trials share their feedback on the ultra-compact, fun to drive i-ROAD, which is available in five colours.