While I love seeing new developments in the clean transportation movement, I honestly have to shake my head at releases like this one.

For those select few urban dwellers who never leave their own neighbourhood and don't mind looking ridiculous, this could be the perfect vehicle.

For the rest of us, it's rather impractical.

Clean transportation will never reach its potential until there are truly viable alternatives on offer - that is, something to do what I need it to do.

Right now, we're leaning toward bio-diesel. It's not perfect, but I just can't trade in our work truck for something like this.

Chris Pritchard

Chris, to move forward and change the way we live we must rid ourselves that there are single answers that will fit everyone's needs.
More importantly, that something is a failure if it doesn't apply to everyone and all situations. Local problems have local solutions. Gone are the days when my house/car/city/energy source are applicable to all people in all situations.
Shaking your head because this transportation (or energy/food/housing) application doesn't fit you and casting it off as a failure is a disservice to everyone.

Marne Duke
Nashville, TN

I was not casting it off as a failure - if you'll actually read my comment, I did acknowledge a definite place for it in the market.

And I never claimed there should or could be a single answer to fit everyone's needs.

Ignoring the horrendous looks of the thing (which I'll admit is difficult), the larger point here is that there are several alternatives already available for this small, niche group of people. Yet, so many companies are limiting themselves to this tiny percentage of consumers while ignoring the majority in such a widely dispersed (and well-traveled) population as North America.

More pollution comes from people living in the suburbs and rural areas than does from inner city dwellers. By far. This is the market that needs attention.

is more sustainable and versatile (and will last much longer than 8 years if I take care of it). 30-35 mile cruising range for an electric vehicle just isn't that impressive to me. A very nice bike also costs about an order of magnitude less than a Peapod. Did I mention Bikes are also zero emissions vehicles? And they don't consist of over 1000 lbs of plastic and metal to isolate me in a cage to cart me around in. Cars are like elevators, what a waste of energy when the purpose is to move people.

Those wanting to haul stuff, will be pleasantly surprised at the options now available for cargo bikes (e.g., Xtracycle, Surly Big Dummy, Kona Ute...)

My commute is 5 miles each way, and it's great exercise that allows me to connect with the seasons and neighborhood nature. I can travel almost as fast as a car, on the 25 mph limited city streets. Did I also mention that parking is free and I don't have to pay for gasoline? Every day I bike to work I save $10 vs. driving my car.

I could see a Peapod working for someone with a 20 mile commute who is afraid to get on a bike due to traffic safety worries (lack of bike accessibility in a suburban car-centric roadway network).

Truly the choice of where one lives vs. works and school, shop etc. has a huge impact on one's carbon footprint. To free one's mind to find new solutions that save time, hassle and money, and reduce carbon footprints-- we can indeed move toward a sustainable future.

I understand bicycles are very efficient and one keep in shape. But not everyone prefers to ride a bicycle and you can't force people to either. Can you see your Grandma on a 'Surly Big Dummy', 3 bags of groceries, a labrador, and her grandchild?

Not only will grandmas rejoice, but suburban commuters as well. Mini-vehicles such as the Peapod and the new GM/Segway PUMA will fill a niche for suburban commuters who must travel just a mile or two to get their Express bus stop, train station, or ride-share parking lot.

Think of it this way, a family can own one regular car and just own a mini-vehicle like this too instead of a full-blown second car. In my neighborhood in New Jersey, one does not need to go over 30 miles an hour for most of their errands.

More vehicles like this on the road will lead to citizens diverting more funding to public transportation since now the bus, train, light rail is within reach and will make more sense.

@Chris Pritchard: wow, you really miss the point. This doesn't mean you CAN'T use a "work truck"! Go ahead! But there are tons of other people who can use small, efficient, slower, safe vehicle.

read his response - he gets it. calling him out is just rude.

I see great uses for this vehicle, i live overseas in a small island setting where SUVs are overtaking our roads! Our speed limit is 25 mph and our road traffic fatalities are at least one a month now. Full communities such as mine will well benefit from these vehicles and reduce our Carbon Footprint on the Earth.