Community Cars’ Kenguru gives the mobility impaired a way to drive
The Kenguru is a small neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) that has been modified so that people in wheelchairs can easily enter and drive it. It’s top speed is 25 mph and it will go 60 miles on a charge. It won’t challenge a Tesla Roadster but it will provide independence for a lot of people who have had to rely on others.
According to KVUE, the car was originally developed in Hungary. Community Cars CEO Stacy Koern, who uses a motorized wheelchair, found the car online and decided to make the car here in Pflugerville, Texas. It required two years and five Hungarian work visas but next Thursday, the first car will be ready for sale.
The car is just wide enough for a wheelchair so don’t plan on carrying passengers or groceries. The top speed of 25 mph will keep it off of highways, but will be perfect for tooling around the city. It uses motorcycle controls for driving. Each car will only cost $25,000. Considering that motorized wheelchairs cost $35,000 and modified vans about $100,000, the Kenguru is a steal. Zoern’s company will produce 10 cars a month starting this coming Thursday.
These cars will allow many people the ability to travel when they want and where they want. If they don’t have the funds for a modified van, the only alternative mode of transportation are handicapped vans run by different organizations which can limit where and when you travel. The Kenguru allows people in wheelchairs a form of freedom that many haven’t had.
The car was originally developed by Rehab Ltd.,a Hungarian company specializing in rehabilitation and orthopedic devices. The company’s “mission is to improve the quality of life of disabled people through our range of products for the sake of help and support them to keep their human dignity.” The Kenguru is a product that accomplishes that goal. The European versions of the Kenguru are able to reach 30 mph but will only travel a distance of 30 miles per charge, considerably less than the one being assembled by Community Cars.
Unlike other locations, the cars aren’t simply being imported into the United States, they are being built here in Pflugerville, Texas. Not only will the car provide independence for many wheelchair bound people here in the States but is also providing jobs.
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January 16th, 2012
Useless if they can’t even carry groceries in it.
January 22nd, 2012
Great concept, but if there’s no room for groceries, a briefcase, etc… then what’s the point?
Fuel injected motorcycles are subject to emissions testing out here in the Chicago area, including NW Indiana. If a 250cc V-twin can pass emissions, so can a motorized vehicle with similar design.
A vehicle like this would be great to drive in Chicago, but then again, 25mph means you’ll have an endless amount of aggressive drivers behind you.
Given the winter weather conditions in the north, this is definitely a seasonal vehicle.
$25,000 for a bloated, oversized power-wheel with LESS cargo space (lawl).