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Toyota i-Road: Electric transport for one (pictures)

An odd little conveyance, the narrow Toyota i-Road offers easy urban transit under electric power, but it's real party trick comes when it leans into a turn.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Wayne Cunningham Managing Editor / Roadshow
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Antuan Goodwin
Wayne Cunningham
Toyota i-Road concept
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Toyota brought a couple of its i-Road electric vehicle prototypes to California to gauge public opinion. CNET took the opportunity for a ride.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The i-Road is a three-wheel single seater designed for quick urban transport.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The i-Road's lithium-ion electric battery gives it a range of 30 miles, ample for city distances.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The front wheels are each driven by an electric motor of 2 kilowatts. The i-Road's top speed is 37 mph.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The rear wheel turns, giving the i-Road a turning radius of about 9 feet.

Toyota i-Road concept
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There is no direct linkage between the steering wheel and rear wheel. An electric motor turns the pod holding the wheel.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The front wheels each have their own adjustable suspension.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The steering wheel is straight from the Toyota parts bin.

Toyota i-Road concept
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Doors open on either side of the cabin, making for flexibility in access and parking.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The push-button drive selector includes reverse.

Toyota i-Road concept
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With three wheels, the i-Road is self-supporting and does not need a kickstand.

Toyota i-Road concept
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With plastic body panels, the i-Road weighs 660 pounds.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The canopy and windshield wiper make the i-Road suitable for driving in the rain.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The i-Road's real trick is in the way it leans over in a turn.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The front wheels shift on their suspensions to allow the i-Road to lean, helping stability.

Toyota i-Road concept
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Taking a turn too fast causes the steering wheel to vibrate.

Toyota i-Road concept
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Toyota also programmed in traction control for driving on slippery surfaces.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The single headlight makes the i-Road a day and night driver.

Toyota i-Road concept
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A USB port in the cabin serves to charge up personal electronics.

Toyota i-Road concept
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Sonar sensors on the side of the i-Road measure the distance to the ground when it is leaning.

Toyota i-Road concept
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The i-Road includes a standard J1772 electric-vehicle charging port.

Toyota i-Road concept
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Charging takes about 3 hours from a 120-volt source.

Toyota i-Road concept
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With its limited speed and range, the i-Road qualifies as a neighborhood electric vehicle in the US.

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