The president of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso presented the Hiriko electric car yesterday in Brussels, Belgium, calling it “a model of social innovation.”
This revolutionary little car was born in the Basque Country and became a reality thanks to the investments of private companies, MIT, as well as miscellaneous government loans.
The Hiriko (which means “urban” in the Basque language) is powered by four in-wheel electric motors. The technical information given did not specify the motors’ power output, or what kind of batteries equip the car. All that is known is that it has a range of 75 miles and a top speed of just under 40 miles per hour.
According to the manufacturer, two people can comfortably fit in the car. The passenger compartment is accessed via a front-mounted door that swings upwards.
Perhaps the most original aspect of the Hiriko is that the rear of it can fold under the chassis. In that configuration, the car is shorter than a smart fortwo and can easily be parked in even the most crowded cities.
The first Hiriko EVs to hit the streets will be part of a car-sharing pilot program. Some of the parties that have shown interest in participating are the Galapagos Islands and the cities of Berlin, Barcelona, and San Francisco.
Once the pilot program is over, private parties will be able to purchase the car. Its projected base price is about 12,500€ ($16,233), but the batteries are not included and will have to be leased.
The first Hirikos are scheduled to be delivered in early 2013.
