Wacky Racers For French Urban Mobility Project

TOYOTA’S involvement in a new three-year urban mobility project in Grenoble, France promises to inject a little fun into what can be an otherwise dull undertaking.

The trial scheme will see radical three-wheel Toyota i-Road and COMS four-wheel electric vehicles available for public car sharing on local journeys.

Toyota is supplying 35 of each type of vehicle and is also contributing its Ha:Mo (harmonious mobility) system to manage the scheme day-to-day, following a model that’s already been successfully piloted in Toyota City in Japan.

The project is also supported by the local authorities in Grenoble, the French power supplier EDF, SODETREL, an EDF subsidiary that installs, manages and maintains electric charging points, and well-established local car-share operator Cité lib.

From 1 October, anyone 18 or older who holds a valid driving licence can register with Cite Lib to gain access to the Toyota electric vehicles. Once subscribed to the service, they can download an application on their smartphone, tablet or computer to see the real-time location of vehicles that are charged and ready to use.

People will be able to pick up their car and drop it off at a different location – any of 27 charging stations in the greater Grenoble area – rather than having to make a round-trip. When the vehicle is dropped off, it is plugged into the station to be recharged and ready for the next customer.

Both Toyota vehicles have been developed as user-friendly transport around town. The i-ROAD is particularly innovative, using a clever Active Lean technology that steers in a similar way to the movements of a skier. It’s not much larger than a motorbike or scooter, but has a full canopy that protects the driver from the elements.

During the pilot the programme partners will gather data to help shape future mobility initiatives.

By Press Association reporters