Vexel Quovis - Wheelchair Car
Sit in a Wheelchair to Drive this Economical, Compact, Low Speed Car
The Vexel Quovis is a low-speed vehicle for one person. The driver enters through a rear ramp and remains sitting in a wheelchair to drive. Roll on-roll off.
Dr. Scott Rains has written several articles about the Vexel Quovis in previous columns here at Suite101, and on his own website.
The Vexel Quovis comes from Spain. Its slogan is, "Drive it from your own wheelchair".
Resembling a Smart Car, the Vexel is fuel-efficient at about 90 miles per gallon, and compact. It some of the pictures on the Quovis website, the car has the blue and white wheelchair symbol on it - kind of a twist on using handicapped parking when the whole vehicle is labelled as a "handicapped car" in a way! It's cute and colourful and immediately appealing to the eye.
Available in the US and Australia, as well as in Europe, the Vexel Quovis is sold as a mobility assistive device rather than as a car on a car lot.
Differences Between Vexel Quovis and a Converted Vehicle
According to the manufacturer, the Vexel Quovis is
- purpose-built to be operated with hand controls and other accessibility features
- wheelchair user sits in the wheelchair to drive
- no other regular seating (a one-person vehicle, with some storage space) There is a fold-down seat for a second person in at least some models.
- limited in the USA to urban, low-speed driving (under about 35 mph).
This vehicle may not go fast but it sounds perfect for city and town use, for going to the store, getting to work or to appointments, and so on. Being able to drive while sitting in a wheelchair sounds like such a sensible idea, surely someone has already done this? But, apparently not.
The Vexel has been featured at various shows and has won some prizes for innovation. It has crossed some regulatory barriers and is available in the USA, with dealers in California, Kansas and Kentucky. The specifications say it uses Michelin tires, so it would seem likely that it can be fitted with 4-season or snow tires for more northern places.
