Kenguru Car Aims at Improving Mobility

Kenguru UK in England is about to market a more environmentally-friendly alternative to a converted van for those who use a wheelchair. The B-4220/VZ Kenguru r Car was designed by Rehab Ltd. in Hungary, which has been offering aids for the handicapped since 1915.

Invalid cars, as they are often called, are quite popular in Europe, especially in Eastern European countries. Already available in Hungary for $12,500 and free to qualified users as part of Hungary's healthcare program, the Kenguru will be sold in the UK this summer and later in the U.S.

This single passenger electric minicar has no seat. The rear hatchback opens and a ramp lowers automatically so a wheelchair user can roll into the driving position. The wheelchair locks into place, within easy reach of the car's controls located on the handlebar used for steering. In the future this could be replaced by a joystick.

When the key is placed in the ignition switch the back door shuts, lifting the ramp at the same time. The Kenguru will not start until the wheelchair is in a correct locked position and the door is fully closed. Only 85 inches long and 61 inches wide, the Kenguru can park perpendicular to the curb next to a sidewalk, allowing a wheelchair to easily roll into the vehicle straight from the sidewalk. Exiting from the vehicle onto the sidewalk is just as straightforward.

The Kenguru is propelled by two 4 kW electric motors powered by four lead-acid batteries. An auxiliary battery powers electrical systems. It has range of about 35 miles and weighs just over 1500 pounds including batteries. With a top speed of 25 mph, the Kenguru is considered a neighborhood electric vehicle in the U.S., and thus will be street legal in most states.

Want to know more about electric cars? Be sure to check out these articles on GreenCar.com:
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