City Transformer has revealed its pioneering shape-shifting all-electric CT-1. This neat little electric vehicle (EV) has been designed specifically for sustainable and intelligent urban mobility. It’s zero-emissions, quiet and small enough to park in many places a regular vehicle wouldn’t fit.
Designed to meet the needs of the urban population, the CT-1 is a two-seat, four-wheeled, all-electric intelligent microcar. What’s unique about the CT-1 is that the wheel track width can be adjusted on the road in real-time to cope with congested traffic or a tight parking situation.
Udi Meridor, City Transformer COO, said: “Paris is one of the world’s great metropolises. However, in recent years it’s been easy to lose sight of the fact that urban areas have been created for people first and people foremost.
“For example, the main arteries that are supposed to keep Paris moving are gridlocked. The roads and avenues closer to the city centre suffer from chronic congestion and resulting pollution. Most of this traffic chaos is the result of larger vehicles being on the road with just one single occupant inside the cabin.
“It’s time we re-think mobility. The CT-1 is a sophisticated next-generation mobility solution for people living in congested urban areas like Paris. The CT-1 is far easier to maintain on a day-to-day basis compared to conventional automobiles and represents a far safer solution compared to two-wheel applications.
“There is no doubt that congestion is an overriding issue for mega cities across the world. And this issue is getting more acute. Loss of time, loss of productivity, health problems, environmental damage – the list of negative effects of inner-city traffic chaos is overwhelming.
“But these challenges have helped to inspire the City Transformer team to develop a unique mobility solution specifically for the urban environment that makes daily transport leaner, cleaner and far more efficient.”
CT-1 Details
The CT-1 is a compact two-seater that can reduce its track width from 1.4 metres to one metre. This allows it to manoeuvre into the smallest parking spaces across the urban environment. This unique wheelbase transformation also takes place on the road in real-time to outsmart traffic and congestion flow.
The CT-1’s underpinnings are based on City Transformer’s in-house developed and advanced modular skateboard architecture. This ensures the foldable microcar is a perfect fit for inner city life, where being behind the wheel of a vehicle is often a stressful, time-consuming, expensive and arduous experience.
Studies have shown that thanks to its innovative changing dimensions and overall compact package, CT-1 drivers will be 10 times more likely to find parking spots in urban areas.
The optimal urban dimensions of the CT-1 will also ensure drivers spend less time behind the steering wheel and benefit from far cheaper everyday EV running costs. The advanced architecture also ensures the CT-1 is an engaging drive that is fun and full of character.
The CT-1 measures 2,500mm in length and has an optimised wheelbase of 1,800mm. It weighs just 590kg including the battery pack which is 80 per cent smaller in mass compared with most other standard EV batteries on the market today.
City Transformers say this battery delivers a 112-mile (180km) real-world zero-emissions driving range. Its battery can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
When driven at 1.4-metres in width (performance mode) the CT-1 has a top speed of 56mph (90kph;) and at one-meter width (city mode) speed is capped at 28mph (45kph).
Tests have shown that the all-electric microcar is far safer than scooters and e-bikes. As such, the CT-1 combines the advantages of a motorcycle with those of a car to create a unique overall mobility solution. This is without the inherent design-related disadvantages of more traditional polluting vehicles that currently make up the urban mobility landscape.
We are sure the looks will divide people but it’s hard to argue with its practicality, especially in busy city driving situations. Reducing the size of vehicles is a good thing and the fact that this electric vehicle is more affordable than most is also attractive. This makes it ideal for those that only travel short distances on a daily basis.
The limited-run first production series of the CT-1 is priced at just €12,500, with series production scheduled for 2024.
