Lit Motors
Lit Motors
Lit Motors
LIT MOTORS TO RELEASE A NEW BREED OF VEHICLES C-1 Motorcycle-Car Hybrid Features the Best of Both Worlds
Lit Motors intends to revolutionize personal transportation with its new C-1: a self-balancing, fully-electric, two-wheeled vehicle. Featuring an enclosed cabin set atop a compact, twowheeled frame, the C-1 marries the safety and comfort of a car with the convenience and efficiency of a motorcycle. What makes the C-1 so innovative is its ability to defy gravity. A set of electronicallycontrolled gyroscopes known as fly-wheels are hidden underneath the floor, keeping the C-1 upright at all times even during a collision. The mechanism takes balancing out of the equation, allowing the addition of a fully-enclosed automotive cabin for increased comfort and safety. Drivers sit at ease in their reclined seat behind a central steering wheel, with traditional break and acceleration pedals at their feet. We always drive around alone in these massive, inefficient trucks and SUVs, and it didnt make sense to me, said Lit Motors CEO Daniel Kim. Why not cut the car in half? Though the driver may not be straddling the C-1s frame, it is still technically classified as a motorcycle. This means that drivers can cruise in between lanes, ride two to a lane, park in motorcycle spots, use the HOV lane, and take advantage of all of the other perks that come with riding a motorcycle with none of the risk. Its steel-reinforced chassis and standard airbags make the C-1 a much safer alternative to a traditional motorcycle, -More-
while still providing the thrill of a two-wheeled vehicle. The C-1 is not only safer for the driver, but safer for the environment as well. Fueled by an eight kWh battery pack, the cycle runs solely on electricity and requires just four to six hours of charging to reach full power. On a single charge, the C-1 can travel as far as 220 miles before running out of juice. A regenerative brake system allows the vehicle to recapture energy released in the process of braking, leading to less waste and a longer charge. Drivers will be able to charge the electric vehicle in the comfort of their own home, in addition to using free charging stations positioned around the U.S. In keeping with its dedication to progress, The C-1 also features an integrated touch screen in its steering wheel, turning the car into a rolling smartphone. Drivers will be able to download traffic advisories, weather updates and construction news straight from the cloud. Smartphone connectivity is included as well, allowing drivers to use their mobile devices to unlock their C-1 or check up on its current location. The C-1 will be released sometime in 2014, with a starting price point of $24,000, or $19,000 after tax incentives. Kim expects that price to drop to around $12,500 after production has been ramped up to full speed. The C-1 can be reserved online today at litmotors.com. Based in San Francisco, California, Lit Motors designs and develops innovative and environmentally-conscious transportation solutions for our growing world. Their mission is to provide efficient, economical, and ecological transportation solutions to the informed and interconnected global community. They aim to rekindle the excitement of the transportation experience by combining human-centered design with the latest in technology and manufacturing. ###
How does the C-1 stay upright at a stoplight? When parked? Does it have a kickstand? Can it go in reverse? The C-1 is self-balancing, using two gyroscopes to keep the vehicle upright when stopped. The C-1 has landing gear which are deployed when parked to keep the vehicle upright. And yes, it has a reverse gear! How would the C-1 work with my commute? How would it save me time? Since the C-1 is classified as a motorcycle, it allows you to lane split, ride two abreast in one lane, use the HOV lane, and use motorcycle parking. We estimate it will cut commute times by up to 50%. If you live in the city, this could be your primary vehicle: easy to park and slip through traffic, with services like Zipcar when you need a larger vehicle or an extended road trip. If you live outside the city, this could be your primary commuting vehicle, with a larger family car at home. This allows the commuter(s) in the family to commute easily and efficiently, saving money and time every day.
What are the basic specs of the C-1? The C-1 will have a top speed of 100+ mph (160+ kph), 0-60 mph (0100 kph) in <6 seconds, and a range of 200 miles (320 km) per charge. Dimensions: 800 lbs. (360 kg) curb weight, 112 (2.8 m) long, 55 (1.4 m) tall, 40 (1 m) wide. What kind of drivetrain are you using? Is the C-1 electric? Does it use solar panels at all? Yes! The C-1 is fully-electric, using high torque, direct drive, in-hub motors. This allows for a smaller, simpler body and quick, efficient driving. Since the C-1 is so small, solar panels would not generate much electricity. However, were looking into that option, if it can be made costeffective.
C-1
ELECTRIC
TRANSPORT
FAQ
What can you tell me about the battery? Charge times will be 4-6 hours, depending on charging voltage. The C-1 will also be able to use higher voltage quick charge stations, giving an 80% charge in less than a half hour. Since it is 1/4 1/10 the size of a typical EV battery pack, the replace ment cost will be much, much more affordable. What are the safety features of the C-1? Safety is one of our top priorities with this vehicle. The C-1 will have a steel unibody chassis with reinforced doors, seat belts, and multiple airbags. The most important safety feature is our gyro stability system, which keeps the C-1 upright even in a collision- preventing the vehicle from flipping or rolling.
Is the C-1 road legal? What kind of license do I need to drive it? Yes, the C-1 is 100% street legal. a motorcycle license will be required but you can take that test in the C-1. We are working to have the C-1 recognized as a separate class of vehicle. Is there/what is the warranty? Where will I be able to go to service my C-1? We will have a dealership and service network across North America and the world. Details concerning that network and our warranty will be released as we near production but rest assured, we will stand firmly behind our vehicle. How Much Cargo Does The C-1 Fit? Can It Carry A Passenger? In addition to the driver: the C-1 has enough space for an adult passenger and a small bag, or about the same amount of cargo you can carry on a plane.
Will I Fit In The C-1? We designed the C-1 to accommodate drivers from 5 to 63however, weve had people up to 65 fit comfortably in our prototypes. The C-1 was not designed for a specific weight limit; the motors are quite powerful, so weight should not be an issue.
What Options/Features Will Be Available For The C-1? The C-1 will have climate control (heat+A/C), fully operable windows, a moonroof/convertible option, direct drive in-hub motors, center-hub steering, full cloud/smartphone integration, premiere sound system, and many more! Will The C-1 Be Able To Handle Inclement Weather? Off-Road? Because the C-1 is all-wheel drive and has our gyro stability system, it will handle as well as, if not better than, any other all-wheel drive car in inclement weather. And we have an off-road version in the works!
How Much Will The C-1 Cost? Our initial run will sell for $24K, or around $19K after US tax incentives. As we scale up to full production, well drop the price accordingly, with the end goal of around $12,500 (before tax incentives).
whopping 32 MPG. Following this break-through success, Dan took on a number of odd jobs in the world of transportation. He returned to the MIT Media Lab, where he spent time leading a team of architects and engineers to design a charging station for Bostons Green Wheel Bike Share program at the MIT Media Lab. After finishing his work there, he went on to design a run of custom bike frames for a company called Vanilla Bikes, streamlining their production in the process and leading them to increased profit margins. At 33 years old, Dan decided it was time to settle down from his life as an engineering journeyman and start his own company. Earlier in his career, Dan had found himself staring down death when one of his 2.5 ton biodiesel Land Rovers fell from its harness and nearly crushed him, forcing him to question the standard of excess in the auto industry. 8 years later he decided to fight back by founding Lit Motors, a company dedicated to trimming the fat and improving vehicle efficiency. Drawing on his background in bicycle manufacturing and his work with Land Rover, Dan came up with a groundbreaking concept the all-electric, gravity-defying C-1Motorbike. With an enthusiastic team at his back, he set about building the new vehicle from the ground up. Dan has since dedicated himself to perfecting the machine for its 2014 launch.
C-1 Motorbike
Comparison Chart
Fully-Enclosed Cabin With Amenities Extensive Safety Features (Seat belts, airbags etc.) Fully Electric
Standard Car
Standard Motorcycle
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No No No Yes Yes No No No No No
All-Wheel Drive
Integrated Touch Screen With Cloud Connectivity Government Tax Incentives Protection From The Elements
Position Paper Paper describing the benefits of driving a C-1 to work over a standard car
Photos of the C-1 Photos of the motorbike at rest and in action, as well as close-up shots of the interior of the C-1
Video Demonstration of the Gyroscopic Stability System A video which shows the C-1 being crashed into at high speeds but remaining upright
Video Demonstration of the C-1s Smartphone Connectivity A video which highlights the ability to use your phone to tell your motorbike to perform complex maneuvers such as parallel parking
Cost Comparison Chart showing the estimated cost of the C-1 over time vs. other motorcycles and cars
Staff Bios Additional biographies on important staff members at Lit Motors Map A map featuring potential locations of future dealerships