Chinese Startup Aims to Launch 2-Wheel EV in 2020

Beijing Lingyun Intelligent Technology Co. is developing a two-wheel electric city car that the company plans to introduce in China early next decade, Bloomberg News reports.

Like the Gyron, Beijing Lingyun’s car uses gyroscopes to balance itself while in motion. The technology also is used in Segway scooters.

Beijing Lingyun's prototype, codenamed the 1703, is about 3 meters (118 inches) long and 1 meter (39 inches) wide. The car has a top speed of 100 kph (62 mph) and an estimated driving range of 100 km.

The prototype, which doesn’t have a steering wheel or foot pedals, can be driven autonomously or controlled by a joystick and touchscreen. But the initial production version likely will have a traditional steering wheel and accelerator and brake pedals, Bloomberg says.

Zhu raised an additional $10 million three years ago and now is targeting another $30 million to mass produce the car. The company, which plans to pick a manufacturing site in China later this month, says it could price the vehicle at about 100,000 yuan ($16,000) if it can achieve annual sales of at least 5,000 units.

Before sales can start, Zhu notes the vehicle must be approved for use on public roads in China. The country’s current regulations don’t address two-wheel gyroscopically stabilized vehicles.