Toyota's i-Road isn't a car; it's what the Japanese firm calls a "personal mobility vehicle". Twenty examples of the three-wheeled electric vehicle have been put on public roads as part of an on-going trial to see how it shapes up in real-world driving conditions. Users chosen to take part in the trial vary from experts in the automotive industry to members of the general public.
Last year the Toyota i-Road was shown in concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show and little has changed between that and the versions now going on trial. The slim, compact design features two front wheels, but just one at the rear, a design that helps the i-Road to lean into corners as well as negotiate traffic, much like a motorcycle - and similar to a Carver (remember that?). The driver and passenger also sit in tandem, just like on a bike.
Power comes from two electric motors powered by lithium-ion batteries. They give the i-Road a top speed of 60km/h. The Toyota has a driving range of just under 50 kilometres, though as numerous studies have already indicated, that should be more than enough range for the daily urban commute.
Anything else?
Later this year Toyota will begin a four-year trial of the i-Road in the French city of Grenoble. At the moment the i-Road remains just a study to see how well it works in real-life situations, so don't expect to find one on your local dealer's forecourt anytime soon.