We all know that the Japanese will probably be the first to completely switch to electric vehicles, with a lot of technologies being developed especially for this and also a lot of EVs being presented there. Now, Japantrends has discovered a new model of electric vehicle built with tradition and eco-friendliness in mind, called the Meguru.

So, is it a rickshaw? Is it a bike? No, it is a traditional electric vehicle built by the Japanese. The Meguru is a three sitter, already registered as a road vehicle that offers three seats, one for the driver and two for passengers. The manufacturers are Yodogawa Group and Kinki Knives Industries Corporation and they believe their invention will become very popular in traditional towns such as Kyoto and Nara.

How traditional is the Meguru? Well, the manufacturers have decorated it with a lacquer iron body, fan-shaped doors made from washi, a Japanese special paper and a bamboo floor. This vehicle sure looks Japanese to me, but the $10,000 price seems a little too much.

Charged from any electric outlet, this EV's performances are limited to 25 miles (40 Km) driving distance after a complete recharge and its top speed is also 25 Mph (40 Kmph). Fully charging the Meguru will take only two hours. The time it needs to be powered again is not that long, but the maximum distance and driving speeds remind me of the Volkswagen “car extension.”

The design separates the driver completely from the extra two passengers it can transport, which I don't like. Or, perhaps the Meguru is designed as a rickshaw after all, making it a pretty expensive taxi. Though its performances limit it to in-city use, this EV is surely another wacky design from the Japanese who are looking to change their current lifestyles to a more environmental-friendly one.





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