LEEV Mobility, the Amsterdam-based company responsible for the Mantys electric golf vehicle, has gone from the fairway to the roadway for its second offering. The company's JAC< is an electric scooter that is designed to solve the first and last mile problem faced by urban commuters. A fully functional prototype has been constructed and LEEV has launched a crowdfunding campaign to get the JAC< on the road.
Designed for short-distance commuting, JAC< has a range of 20 km (12.5 miles) and can reach a speed of 24 km/h (15 mph). It weighs less than 20 kg (44 lbs) and folds down to a compact package measuring 40 x 11.8 x 15.7 in (100 x 30 x 40 cm). It features a 350 W hub motor in the rear wheel, a lithium polymer battery and two disc brakes.
JAC< can be charged at home (220V) or from the car (12V), so drivers who need to park their vehicles a few miles from their final destination can get there in quick fashion without breaking a sweat. This could be particularly useful in European cities where local administrations are making it harder for vehicles to circulate in central zones.
LEEV Mobility, which is a spinoff of Amsterdam-based design firm Springtime, won a bronze Spark Product Award for its JAC< design, which features an asymmetrical handlebar that folds down next to the wheels. To create the product, the design company teamed up with electronics developer Betronic solutions, which also has a background in electric mobility development.
For those wondering whether it will be legal to ride JAC< through the streets of their city, the designers say there have been cases when legislation was reviewed in response to the introduction of a new product, as was the case with the Segway. As far as the U.S. is concerned, the company has confirmed that JAC< will be legal in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kentucky, Nevada, Texas, Virginia and Washington, with other states expected to follow suit.
The JAC< Kickstarter campaign is aiming to raise US$75,000 and, with 20 days to go at the time of writing, is still over $65,000 short. If the campaign proves successful, JAC< will retail for $1,950. However, backers can save some money by ponying up a $1,500 pledge. A limited edition BLACK JAC< in matte black finish with the supporter's name engraved is also available for a pledge of $2,000. If the campaign is successful, the designers aim to launch the scooter in the second quarter of 2013.
Designer Marcel Schreuder makes his pitch for JAC< in the video below.
Source: LEEV Mobility via KickStarter