In today’s world, as we work towards cleaner transportation due to environmental goals, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a popular alternative to traditional cars. EVs come in various shapes and sizes to suit different needs.
Now, an innovative electric car concept has been introduced by Shane Chen, the inventor of the hoverboard, that self-balancing personal transporter. He named this prototype “SHANE” and claims it’s the first practical two-wheeled car for everyday city and highway use.
This vehicle looks very different from what we’re used to seeing on the road. It’s more like a big toy or a hovercraft on wheels. Surprisingly, it can comfortably fit five people and has large front and rear doors for easy access, even a space for luggage.
What makes SHANE unique is that it runs on only two big wheels instead of the usual four. It stays balanced using smart sensors and motors in its frame, without traditional steering. Instead, it changes direction by adjusting the power and speed to the wheels.
We don’t have detailed information about its electric motor, battery size, range, or top speed, but for city and highway use, we’d expect a range of over 100 miles and a top speed above 70 mph.
SHANE’s design makes its wheels automatically adjust to keep it balanced at high speeds, something we haven’t seen before. Shane Chen used his experience in self-balancing technology to create this stable two-wheeled car that’s easy to park and maneuver. The large wheels reduce friction, and shock absorbers recharge the battery.
Chen believes that SHANE will change how we think about transportation and is open to partnerships to bring this concept to life, although there’s no set release date for consumers yet.
“Two-wheeled cars have simply not been practical or stable enough for everyday driving, until now. I was excited to create a car concept with two wheels that can go at high speeds and be energy efficient. I truly believe SHANE will make a difference in how we approach mobility and I look forward to collaborating with partners to bring this concept to life,” says Chen.
In the meantime, they are looking for partners interested in licensing or helping produce SHANE as a commercial product.