Startup unveils 'generation-defining' vehicle that looks straight out of sci-fi movie: 'Unlike anything else in the world'
In a recent video showcasing the prototype, Lit Motors founder and CEO Daniel Kim called the fully enclosed EV "a Ford Model T of the 21st century."
The C-1, as it's named, is a "self-balancing car that's unlike anything else in the world," Kim said.
With what Kim described as a "world-class team of automotive and robotics experts," Lit Motors has built several prototypes of the C-1 over the last decade. It has a nine-year production plan in progress, with a new beta prototype set to be ready by 2026, according to New Atlas.
The e-motorcycle drives up to just over 100 mph, a slower speed than the original vision of 125 mph, with a range of 170 miles. And even though early models have featured only about half the torque expected in the production version, the team is certain its invention will be a game-changer in the sustainable driving space — not as a replacement but as a supplement.
"Our generation-defining product complements the adoption of EVs with a safe, high-performance, next-level commuter vehicle," said Natalia Amijo, creative director of product design. "It can easily perform daily errands and conveniently park in urban areas globally."
Kim emphasized that the company was far from finished with improving and upgrading the design. "I have a couple of ideas for our next revision," he told New Atlas. "I've got some tricks up my sleeve for what the real potential of this vehicle will be."
Even before this futuristic offering is available, more and more drivers around the world are opting to upgrade to EVs — for good reasons.
Making the switch dramatically lowers both fuel and maintenance costs, as EVs don't require regular fluid replacements or oil changes. They also have quieter engines and produce no tailpipe pollution — which means much less in-car pollution too.
And of course, opting to use electricity rather than dirty fossil fuels is an excellent way to reduce your pollutive footprint and keep toxic emissions down for a better future.
If you were going to purchase an EV, which of these factors would be most important to you?
Cost
Battery range
Power and speed
The way it looks
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
For all these reasons, buyers around the world continue to be EV happy. In 2024, more than one-fifth of all new cars sold worldwide were electric, a 25% jump from the year prior, per the International Energy Agency.
For EV drivers who really want to enhance their savings, charging costs drop to nearly $0 when an EV is charged using a solar panel system. If you're interested in an installation for your home, check out vetted quotes with free comparison tools at EnergySage, which offers an easy first step and can save you up to $10,000. Also, Palmetto's LightReach solar leasing program offers solar installations for no money down, providing even more Americans the opportunity to benefit from solar power.
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