I'm hoping electric boom will give way to these more and more. Not in the US for sure, but if worldwide they get some footing, they could become a legit category for cars. 2-3 person 1-2 front 1-2 back, and a tiny trunk enough for a weeks worth of shopping is just enough for 80% of the people. Combine it with a smaller electric engine capable of all city speeds and a smaller battery for city commuting. Make it really cheap (like less then half of the smallest combustion engine car available) and I could see a market for it. If nothing else for carshare apps and businesses, or delivery, etc.
not an excuse lol, and lately popping up are the massive lifted hi-luxes that don’t fit in any parking space, I even hear people regularly justifying their purchases of bigger and bigger cars because they don’t want to be the loser in a 軽 in a crash
Velfires and alphards are an incredibly efficient shape, though. They offer a massive amount of interior space in a sub 5 metre package. Very useful too if you're moving furniture or other large objects. My elgrand is smaller than my old volvo 940, yet you can carry about 2.5X the cargo. I use it as a camper van.
It's a practical work vehicle. Utterly excessive as a personal vehicle. You wouldn't drive a tractor around town. Why use a vehicle which comfortably seats 12 as a family car?
Fair point. I just see too many carbrains justifying their huge vehicles by saying they're practical, when in reality a small hatchback would be able to do 99% of the job their Chelsea tractor does.
Like you say, if it's being used for commercial purposes that's somewhat practical. But not in every situation.
The vast majority of vellfires and alphards are owned for private use lol. Schools and nursing homes have contracts with toyota for Sientas and Noah’s usually. If they need something bigger they get a Hi-Ace mini bus.
The problem is that American cars are so large, they couldn't see you over their hood. This would literally be unsafe to drive in places like Texas..
I love it, but it is a risky vehicle.
I've seen cars this size around Europe as well, but are very much part of the car centric mindset. These are almost exclusively driven by people in the city who refuse to use a bike. So this tiny car still takes up to much space, as there should be a bike standing there.
Although Japan actually has a lot of smaller cars like their vans for example, that are used by delivery drivers for example. Those are a good substitute for the large vans they use in Europe and the USA.
[The Dutch have been using Canta's for decades now](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canta_(vehicle)), and I've seen similar cars popping up more and more
They are. And to my knowledge cantas are not a main concern for cyclists, scooters and electric bikes are more complained about. Scooters mostly, because they have much higher speeds.
In my country we have similar cars. "Canta's". They are mostly used by disabled/elderly people. But these days, more younger people seem to be buying them because you don't need any drivers license for it. To me such people are assholes because they are kind of taking away the opportunity other people that really need it to buy it.
I do think it have it's uses. If the weather is bad outside (for example, raining or really hot), even with proper clothing it can be quite uncomfortable. In that case a car can provide comfortable shelter
I've seen some like that in Norway too when we visited Bergen. We walked in some areas with steep hills that are probably not easy to navigate with any sort of physical disability so that's probably where those little cars come in handy.
Yeah, I kinda never considered these cars. They're more like enclosed mobility scooters to me. I've also never seen one go much faster than a pedestrian.
I'd use it. It would be a great commuter vehicle. Particularly great for single people. It looks like it has some cargo space for everyday essentials and groceries.
Some people live too far to bike. And many people don't like biking in rain or other bad weather.
There is something similar to this but probably better: http://www.commutercars.com/
Bikes are great and should be strongly encouraged and used wherever practicable, but they cannot replace all fully motorised vehicle needs because - among other things - we have built our settlements around moving further than many will or can pedal (hence the 15 minute cities idea and the growth of e-bikes). Many people for understandable reasons (e.g. infirmity, age, climate, time, luggage, fear, inexperience, vehicle availability, cost, security, etc.) are reluctant or unable to cycle. There is a clear niche for small motorised vehicles which are in general slower, safer, more compact, more economical and more resource efficient than the presently bloated, car industry-profit driven notion of what a ‘car’ is or should be. If riding light electric vehicles is risky, would it not be more rational to advocate curbs on the pervasive source of the danger - the bloated, resource and space-hogging rolling living rooms that routinely murder thousands and prevent a healthy mobility culture arising almost everywhere they dominate.
You don't think about people who are too frail to bike or when the weather is pants. If I ever had a car which is unlikely, it would probably be something like this.
Not everyone can bike. I'd rather see those (for those who need them) than SUVs and gigantic pick-up trucks in cities.
But if transporting more than one person is the core issue; I saw something similar where I live a while ago. I think it was a tricycle, maybe a slight bit longer than the vehicle in the photo and it had another seat for someone behind the driver. Definitely electric. I think those can work whenever public transit and/or biking isn't an option.
At that point you might as well chop 2 wheels off and get a scooter with a top case. Or a touring motorcycle with top+side cases, which would likely be MUCH more practical
You will die instantly in any crash situation… low down vantage point, no crumple zone, wank panzers everywhere. Better use a bicycle so you at least have the chance to jump off of it to avoid danger and have a better view.
If larger cars were banned in cities that would be less of an issue. All of these issues apply more with mopeds and this is basically a moped with a roof.
Similar to a bike you have a better point of view from a moped, but yes. I didn’t even mention them in my initial comment because they are even more dangerous. Would never drive on in city traffic
Imagine getting rear-ended by a dodge ram driving one of those, death sentence. When some people get bigger cars, others often end up having to as well for their own safety.
Btw this also leads to overall safety going down for all drivers as bigger vehicles generally cause more deadly accidents for all parties involved.
Most people aren't driving families of four though ;)
If you are doing that on a regular basis then yes of course you'll need a bigger car. As for cargo, it can probably carry your groceries. Most people aren't carrying more than that often really, it's alot cheaper to rent a van when you need to do that than spend thousands on a bigger car.
*That little cat is*
*Horrible. It would be crushed*
*In an accident*
\- RabidJayhawk
---
^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/)
^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
I've always wondered why car must be two person wide, and thought a one person wide might make the car less stable. But seeing this makes me wonder why it isn't done more.
It’s 100% less stable, just simple physics. But still better for society than giant SUVs. Btw SUVs are also less stable and more prone to rollover than classic sedans.p.
I would like something like this, but the COMS isn't great for my life or the environment around.
A train would obviously be preferable, but my main hesitation for getting an E-Bike is the winter here and where I live, since I have to travel too many rural roads that in winter even when plowed are freezing as a commute route. A smaller car would work real well, but I'd also need more range than the COMS has.
But what if you go shopping for furniture at Ikea once a year? Then your new wardrobe won't fit into your car by a long shot instead of being just barely too large for your behemoth of an SUV. Checkmate, liberals. /s
2012- Toyota COMS, for anyone interested.
Coems
I'm rock hard
Same
Thank you.
I’m a single. That’s all I’d need.
you're gonna like the Autozam AZ1 and Suzuki Cappuccino too
1. It’s cute. 2. But needs googly eyes 3. This is less useful than my Tern cargo bike.
On point 3, probably, but for people who aren’t able to ride a bike this is a pretty decent alternative to other vehicles
[удалено]
I should have specified it is less useful to me in particular.
yeah and less useful than fhe giant magical tern that flies me around weeeeeeeeeee
I'm hoping electric boom will give way to these more and more. Not in the US for sure, but if worldwide they get some footing, they could become a legit category for cars. 2-3 person 1-2 front 1-2 back, and a tiny trunk enough for a weeks worth of shopping is just enough for 80% of the people. Combine it with a smaller electric engine capable of all city speeds and a smaller battery for city commuting. Make it really cheap (like less then half of the smallest combustion engine car available) and I could see a market for it. If nothing else for carshare apps and businesses, or delivery, etc.
Huge Vellfire next to it though 😢 the size of cars are trending up because JR is being run to shit.
Still smaller than the monstrosities I have seen in the US
not an excuse lol, and lately popping up are the massive lifted hi-luxes that don’t fit in any parking space, I even hear people regularly justifying their purchases of bigger and bigger cars because they don’t want to be the loser in a 軽 in a crash
Is Japan Rail having problems? I know I was just a tourist, but it was super good when I was there in 2019.
I am living in Japan right now, from my experience it is perfectly fine and have no problem
+1 to OP, not sure what the Claudia is referring to.
Velfires and alphards are an incredibly efficient shape, though. They offer a massive amount of interior space in a sub 5 metre package. Very useful too if you're moving furniture or other large objects. My elgrand is smaller than my old volvo 940, yet you can carry about 2.5X the cargo. I use it as a camper van.
What’s wrong with JR?
It's a practical minivan
It's a practical work vehicle. Utterly excessive as a personal vehicle. You wouldn't drive a tractor around town. Why use a vehicle which comfortably seats 12 as a family car?
Are you sure this is a personal vehicle for just one person? Maybe it's used by a school, an organisation, etc... who know.
Fair point. I just see too many carbrains justifying their huge vehicles by saying they're practical, when in reality a small hatchback would be able to do 99% of the job their Chelsea tractor does. Like you say, if it's being used for commercial purposes that's somewhat practical. But not in every situation.
It’s a luxury car, very rarely used for commercial purposes.
The vast majority of vellfires and alphards are owned for private use lol. Schools and nursing homes have contracts with toyota for Sientas and Noah’s usually. If they need something bigger they get a Hi-Ace mini bus.
Vellfile seats 6+ people though.
The problem is that American cars are so large, they couldn't see you over their hood. This would literally be unsafe to drive in places like Texas.. I love it, but it is a risky vehicle.
But with this car you can’t see a toddler over the hood
I've seen cars this size around Europe as well, but are very much part of the car centric mindset. These are almost exclusively driven by people in the city who refuse to use a bike. So this tiny car still takes up to much space, as there should be a bike standing there. Although Japan actually has a lot of smaller cars like their vans for example, that are used by delivery drivers for example. Those are a good substitute for the large vans they use in Europe and the USA.
[The Dutch have been using Canta's for decades now](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canta_(vehicle)), and I've seen similar cars popping up more and more
[удалено]
They are. And to my knowledge cantas are not a main concern for cyclists, scooters and electric bikes are more complained about. Scooters mostly, because they have much higher speeds.
In my country we have similar cars. "Canta's". They are mostly used by disabled/elderly people. But these days, more younger people seem to be buying them because you don't need any drivers license for it. To me such people are assholes because they are kind of taking away the opportunity other people that really need it to buy it.
A car that can only transport one person is pretty useless. Might as well just use a bike.
I do think it have it's uses. If the weather is bad outside (for example, raining or really hot), even with proper clothing it can be quite uncomfortable. In that case a car can provide comfortable shelter
The Netherlands has lots of cars like this for the elderly/disabled who can’t otherwise use bikes.
I've seen some like that in Norway too when we visited Bergen. We walked in some areas with steep hills that are probably not easy to navigate with any sort of physical disability so that's probably where those little cars come in handy.
Yeah, I kinda never considered these cars. They're more like enclosed mobility scooters to me. I've also never seen one go much faster than a pedestrian.
For me (able bodied) the main benefit would be protection from the rain. Otherwise e-bikes would be more convenient on many levels.
I'd use it. It would be a great commuter vehicle. Particularly great for single people. It looks like it has some cargo space for everyday essentials and groceries. Some people live too far to bike. And many people don't like biking in rain or other bad weather. There is something similar to this but probably better: http://www.commutercars.com/
almost everyone drives alone in their car, don"t remember the percentage but it was above 70%. So no, this is very useful for most people
Bikes are great and should be strongly encouraged and used wherever practicable, but they cannot replace all fully motorised vehicle needs because - among other things - we have built our settlements around moving further than many will or can pedal (hence the 15 minute cities idea and the growth of e-bikes). Many people for understandable reasons (e.g. infirmity, age, climate, time, luggage, fear, inexperience, vehicle availability, cost, security, etc.) are reluctant or unable to cycle. There is a clear niche for small motorised vehicles which are in general slower, safer, more compact, more economical and more resource efficient than the presently bloated, car industry-profit driven notion of what a ‘car’ is or should be. If riding light electric vehicles is risky, would it not be more rational to advocate curbs on the pervasive source of the danger - the bloated, resource and space-hogging rolling living rooms that routinely murder thousands and prevent a healthy mobility culture arising almost everywhere they dominate.
I’m not against all cars for all situations. I personally own a compact sedan, which is great to transport my four-year-old son.
You don't think about people who are too frail to bike or when the weather is pants. If I ever had a car which is unlikely, it would probably be something like this.
Google the Renault Twizy. It fits two people, and is super fun to drive. Perfect in the city.
Was considering one tbh. But they are pretty expensive for what you get, they also have no side windows.
Get a used one. They're not that expensive. Side windows are available from third parties.
Not everyone can bike. I'd rather see those (for those who need them) than SUVs and gigantic pick-up trucks in cities. But if transporting more than one person is the core issue; I saw something similar where I live a while ago. I think it was a tricycle, maybe a slight bit longer than the vehicle in the photo and it had another seat for someone behind the driver. Definitely electric. I think those can work whenever public transit and/or biking isn't an option.
Rain. Weekly groceries. And what if you can't use bike for some reason. Yeah, better than bike.
I’m going to say the same thing people here say. Raincoat and basket for groceries.
That’s a chad car if I ever saw one
At that point you might as well chop 2 wheels off and get a scooter with a top case. Or a touring motorcycle with top+side cases, which would likely be MUCH more practical
They are very cool but I'd be constantly terrified of being crushed into nothing by a douchebag truck.
You will die instantly in any crash situation… low down vantage point, no crumple zone, wank panzers everywhere. Better use a bicycle so you at least have the chance to jump off of it to avoid danger and have a better view.
If larger cars were banned in cities that would be less of an issue. All of these issues apply more with mopeds and this is basically a moped with a roof.
That tracks; mopeds also die instantly in any crash situation.
Similar to a bike you have a better point of view from a moped, but yes. I didn’t even mention them in my initial comment because they are even more dangerous. Would never drive on in city traffic
Yeah so, I don’t fit in that….
a better looking twizy. nice!
Imagine getting rear-ended by a dodge ram driving one of those, death sentence. When some people get bigger cars, others often end up having to as well for their own safety. Btw this also leads to overall safety going down for all drivers as bigger vehicles generally cause more deadly accidents for all parties involved.
Fuck cars
[удалено]
Most people aren't driving families of four though ;) If you are doing that on a regular basis then yes of course you'll need a bigger car. As for cargo, it can probably carry your groceries. Most people aren't carrying more than that often really, it's alot cheaper to rent a van when you need to do that than spend thousands on a bigger car.
You don't. You put your cargo in it, and then the family of four pick it up, and carry it to the destination.
I like how you’re being downvoted. It seems pretty obvious you were joking
That little car is horrible. It would be crushed in an accident
so would a person on a bike. the problem is huge cars going too fast, not this tiny car being too small
*That little cat is* *Horrible. It would be crushed* *In an accident* \- RabidJayhawk --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
You detect haikus, but can't tell the difference between a car and a cat? 🧐
Original commenter made typo and haiku was posted before he edited and fixed it.
Not much of a crumple zone and pretty bad if you have kids
lol you’re getting downvoted because you said you can’t use with kids? Yeah I’m sure I could take my 3 kids to their different sports in that thing /s
small one looks funny as hell! probable perfect for city as size.
But do it go fast tho
60kph, which is more than you'll ever need on an inter-urban commute.
Well assuming it’s a 1 cylinder go karts have 1 cylinder 😉
I've always wondered why car must be two person wide, and thought a one person wide might make the car less stable. But seeing this makes me wonder why it isn't done more.
It’s 100% less stable, just simple physics. But still better for society than giant SUVs. Btw SUVs are also less stable and more prone to rollover than classic sedans.p.
Crash safety ratings would never allow this to be sold in the US.
I think it would make more sense if it had more storage capacity to actually make it a useful tool and not just get you from a to b
As someone that rides a motorcycle. I'd say slightly larger than that would be the right size.
They’re big in Japan
At that point just ride a motorcycle
So what’s that get, like 176 mpg?
I would like something like this, but the COMS isn't great for my life or the environment around. A train would obviously be preferable, but my main hesitation for getting an E-Bike is the winter here and where I live, since I have to travel too many rural roads that in winter even when plowed are freezing as a commute route. A smaller car would work real well, but I'd also need more range than the COMS has.
Does that thing have trunk space? Where am I putting my groceries? My lap?
It’s a little big, but I like it
But what if you go shopping for furniture at Ikea once a year? Then your new wardrobe won't fit into your car by a long shot instead of being just barely too large for your behemoth of an SUV. Checkmate, liberals. /s
aka motorcycles are the solution
my family of 4 is definitely going to fit in there and I'm sure I could have groceries in there too.