Toyota Concept-i Ride brings accessible electric mobility to Tokyo
Toyota's Concept-i Ride city car debuts at the Tokyo Motor Show, featuring gullwing doors and a joystick control system designed for wheelchair users.
Toyota has unveiled the Concept-i Ride at the Tokyo Motor Show, presenting a compact electric city car with gullwing doors and a focus on accessibility for wheelchair users. The prototype is the latest development in Toyota's Concept-i series, following the original Concept-i that debuted at CES in Las Vegas earlier in 2017.
The Concept-i Ride stands out immediately for its large gullwing doors, which Toyota says are not just for show. The doors are intended to make it easier for drivers and passengers, especially those in wheelchairs, to enter and exit the vehicle. Once open, the electrically operated seat slides towards the door, allowing a user to transfer directly from a wheelchair. The rear compartment provides space for storing a folded wheelchair, making the car practical for daily mobility needs in urban environments.
Toyota's city car concept measures 2,500 mm in length, 1,300 mm in width and 1,500 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 1,800 mm. The compact footprint is aimed at tight city streets and limited parking, while the electric powertrain offers a range of up to 150 km (93 miles) between charges, according to the company. The Concept-i Ride is fully electric, aligning with Toyota's broader push towards zero-emission urban vehicles.
Joystick controls and city-friendly design
Unlike its predecessor, which used a steering wheel inspired by gaming controllers, the Concept-i Ride replaces traditional controls with a joystick. This system is designed to simplify driving for people with limited mobility, removing the need for pedals or a conventional steering column. The two-seat layout and simple dashboard reinforce the car's focus on accessibility and ease of use.
The Concept-i Ride is part of a wider family of mobility concepts Toyota brought to Tokyo, including the three-wheeled Concept-i Walk. That model targets pedestrian-scale mobility with a variable wheelbase and a claimed range of 20 km per charge. Both concepts share electric propulsion and an emphasis on future urban transport solutions.
Gullwing doors in a city car context
Toyota's vision for urban mobility
With the Concept-i Ride, Toyota is exploring how electric vehicles and new control systems can make city driving more accessible. The company has not announced production plans, but the prototype signals an interest in practical, inclusive design for future mobility. For more on Toyota's recent concepts, seeToyota Concept-i debuts AI-driven interface at CES.
