Two-wheel electric car tested

A two-wheeled electric vehicle from China which is a mix of motorcycle, electric car and space capsule with a smartphone style brain could be on public roads in two years.

At least that’s the belief of its engineer Zhu Lingyu.

Inspired by a Ford concept car from 1961 that used gyroscopes to stay upright, he built a streamlined version that resembles a spacecraft escape pod, Bloomberg reports.

It has no steering wheel or accelerator pedal, can reach 100km/h and has a 100km range. A version with a steering wheel and brake is likely in showrooms first.

Beijing Lingyun Intelligent Technology plans to build the gyrocar itself and may pick a domestic location for its factory this month, aiming to start sales in 2020.

“I was told by a potential investor that I have zero chance to make the idea work,” Lingyu says after a test drive of a prototype called the 1703.

“But I firmly believe this is the future of urban transportation because it is exquisite, energy-saving and easy.”

The gyroscope technology is used in iPhones and Segways to track user movements or maintain balance.

It can drive autonomously or can be controlled by using a computer mouse and 24-inch screen.

The cost is expected to be about $20,400.