Flintstones Inspired Human Electric Vehicle Runs on People Power

One would say that a human electric vehicle is more low tech then high tech. Still, if it provides protection for our planet, then maybe we need to consider it. The HumanCar Imagine PS is a four-seater that features hand cranks, conquers a hill at 30 miles per hour, and travels more than 60 miles an hour on flat terrain. And for those that like a little exercise with their transportation, they will be able to buy this vehicle next year for a price tag $15,500.

The hand cranks allows the driver to operate the vehicle. In fact, if four people are doing the cranking then the car can run on human power alone. However, The vehicle is an electric plug in so it has electric capability to assist if there are not enough people to work the cranks.

Starting the vehicle requires a little labor -- a few front and back pulls of a two-hand crank -- and then away you go. Those who have seen the contraption say that it needs a larger windshield. The company producing them says that there will be an all-weather shell that covers the top when the vehicle becomes available. Airbags will be included as well. 

This is not the first car of its kind. Believe it or not, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has an annual international challenge called the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, in which students are encouraged to build aerodynamic vehicles. So far, top speed for these vehicles is about 20 miles per hour. The inventor of the HumanCar is Charles Samuel Greenwood, an engineer who has been working on developing a human powered car since the 1960s. 

Those who are interested in purchasing the vehicle can actually reserve one on the HumanCar website for a refundable down payment of $50. The company that is selling it says that it has received 100 pre-orders and that it will start production when the orders reach 800.