Ultracompact vehicles to hit public roads this year (Japan)

[FarCenter]

The transport ministry plans to allow ultracompact cars to run on public roads in some local areas as early as autumn to encourage the spread of such vehicles, according to sources.

The Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry will relax the section of the Road Transport Vehicle Law that regulates safety standards and other rules on the use of vehicles, and apply it to local governments that want to use ultracompact cars as transport for residents and tourists in their areas.

The cars have been driven strictly on an experimental basis in limited areas, but the expected regulatory easing is likely to spark proliferation of the vehicles nationwide.

The ministry will define the standards and specifications for ultracompact cars, including running capacity and safety performance, and publicize them as early as autumn to allow local governments to take the lead in using the cars.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T120709003022.htm

1 or 2 person vehicles of 125 cc displacement. Wonder whether they will also permit an electric version.

The existing minicar class hold 4 and have engines with displacement up to 660 cc. But they are too expensive for some.

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. I have an idea to make them even more efficient.

Fewer wheels. Reduce the wheel count by 50% and parasitic and aerodynamic drag drops by a huge factor.

I suggest we call them motorcycles.

[yellowcanine]

2. Also thinking pedal option.....mopeds.

[FarCenter]

3. Or with the same number of wheels, golf carts

Street-Legal Low-Speed Vehicles
http://www.clubcar.com/homeowner/lowspeedvehicles/Pages/default.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Electric_Vehicle

[Fumesucker]

4. Motorcycles are aerodynamically pretty inefficient..

I have an old Vetter Windjammer the size of a barn door on mine and it actually gets better mileage with the fairing than without..

My rig can get in the mid 50 mpg range if I baby it along, I suspect a 125 car can do at least as well and carry more in more comfort if the weather is in any way inclement.

Effectively fairing a motorcycle in a really low drag manner is a tough job, I'd like to try out something like Vetter's experimental Alcan Fairing.. (after the highway).