[UPDATED 11 JUNE 2022] The technology behind Edison2’s Very Light Car (VLC) is now in development for commercialization by E2 Mobility, Inc. (E2). E2 aims to dramatically improve the economics of mobility services by lowering vehicle costs-per-mile for operators, while simultaneously increasing revenue potential by providing access to a digital platform connected to the smart mobility ecosystem. E2 will build its Smart Mobility Vehicle (SMV) with globally renowned partners, including partnerships for platform licensing, prototype development, and application design. E2 plans to start production in 2024, with projections to deploy a fleet of ~1 million SMVs in the United States by 2030.
Newswise — Edison2, the winners of the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE, unveiled the their latest Very Light Car (VLC) inside Henry Ford Museum’s Driving America exhibit yesterday afternoon.
After an introduction by Patricia Mooradian, The Henry Ford’s president, Oliver Kuttner spoke about Edison2's achievements over the last five years and their mission to provide affordable, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions. Illustrating the expected automotive landscape in the near future, Oliver showed how the virtues of the VLC architecture could have huge implications on vehicle markets domestic and worldwide.
During the speech, a 10’x12’ banner depicting the new Edison VLC 4.0 vehicle in complete form was uncovered just before Kuttner and Mooradian unveiled the new Edison2 VLC rolling chassis staged in front of the banner.
“This is disruptive technology,” Kuttner said, “This can change the entire industry. This can change the economies of nations, and my task today is to explain this to you.” Kuttner provided background on Edison2 and highlighted the challenges automakers face with new CO2 laws. “The industry is being asked to double its fuel efficiency – in one full development cycle. This is very difficult to do.” Kuttner emphasized what was required to win the Automotive X Prize: “Get the weight out – reduce aerodynamic drag,” a philosophy that automakers are now weaving into vehicle advertisements and specifications.
After the unveiling, Kuttner gave an overview of the vehicle, explaining the advantages of their new architecture and highlighting Edison2’s design focus on consumer needs – aesthetics, additional room, ease of entry/exit and more before moving onto its enabling technology: the suspension.
Kuttner’s primary focus was the Edison2 in-wheel suspension. “It starts from the suspension,” he said. He described how their patented suspension significantly reduces mass, complexity, parts count, and enables a long list of advantages, which include the opportunity to design safer, better handling, more aerodynamic vehicles with unprecedented efficiency. “We believe we can replace the twist beam suspension, even in existing cars…but it will take time.”
“In the end it’s all about efficiency,” Kuttner said, “and efficiency is all about cost.” He went into detail about economic advantages of the VLC architecture to global automakers and their consumers. He also described how reducing vehicle energy requirement is an important objective in meeting global reductions in GHG vehicle emissions, and managing energy challenges and costs worldwide. “This car opens up the possibility for a whole new type of car…in a much more responsible, sustainable way to the future.”
High resolution photos can be downloaded at: http://www.edison2.com/storage/photos/High%20Res% 20VLC%20Architecture%20Unveiling%20for%20Media.zip
About E2 Mobility
E2 Mobility, Inc., was founded by Theodoros Papaspyridis to provide a solution for the new era of smart mobility, leveraging his decades of experience in the international automotive industry to deliver the innovations made possible by the ultra-efficient design of the X Prize-winning Edison2 Very Light Car. Its purpose-built smart mobility vehicle for the movement of passengers and cargo helps operators to increase profits. The integrated software platform with its mobile app connects MaaS operators to diverse revenue opportunities. E2 aims to be an all-inclusive smart mobility solutions company by providing an E2 ecosystem and selling mobility by the mile.
For more information, visit www.e2mobility.us
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