Compact Commute: Foldable Cars Coming to Roads This Summer

The futuristic allure of flying cars as depicted in the classic TV cartoon The Jetsons may soon become a reality, but perhaps with an added twist inspired by George Jetson's foldable car.

The Israeli project City Transformer is making strides in this direction with the development of what they tout as "the world's first adaptable car."

Unlike Jetson's fictional briefcase transformation, City Transformer's CT-2 electric car offers practical adaptability. It can seamlessly transition from being eight feet wide on the road to a compact three feet for parking, all at the push of a button.

Described as being able to "drive like a car and park like a motorcycle," this innovation is capturing attention, particularly among first responders in Israel, with 1,000 orders already placed for medical emergency crews.

With an additional 1,000 orders from around the globe and production set to commence in Italy, City Transformer aims for a public release in July.

The folding car boasts impressive agility and utility, however, it's not geared for long-distance travel. Weighing in at approximately 992 pounds and equipped with batteries offering a range of 112 miles (75 miles with air conditioning), it prioritizes maneuverability over endurance, according to YNetNews.

Furthermore, in a bid to keep weight minimal, the car forgoes power brakes. If you opt for the narrow configuration, it reduces its top speed to 24 miles per hour.

Despite these limitations, City Transformer targets a price point of around $17,300, aiming for a production goal of 15,000 vehicles annually, according to reports by Business Today.

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While City Transformer claims the mantle of being the "world's first" in foldable cars, an online search reveals prior endeavors in this arena.

EuroNews mentions MIT's CityCar from 2010, capable of sideways parking and spinning in place. Meanwhile, a 2012 demonstration by Hiriko in Spain showcased a folding electric car, albeit marred by accusations of fraud in 2015.

In a similar vein, NTD Energy of Spain introduced the "Lakota Fold" car in 2022, with ambitions for compact parking solutions. However, updates on its progress have been scarce since early 2023, leaving City Transformer to push forward with its vision of adaptable urban mobility.