We recently were lucky enough to meet the makers of the Meguru, an electric car made with traditional Japanese crafts and techniques.
Resembling a kind of rickshaw eco car, the Meguru is comfy and looks pretty stylish, in a funky antique sort of way. The main body is iron coated with urushi (lacquer), the flooring made from real bamboo and, most noticeably, the “door” is a fan-shaped washi (Japanese paper).
Developed jointly by Yodogawa Group and Kinki Knives Industries Corporation in Osaka, the makers hope that Meguru will become a hit in traditional towns like Kyoto and Nara. They plan eventually to offer the light vehicle at a cost of around a million yen (c.$10,000).
Its batteries can be powered by ordinary household electrics and a two-hour charge lets you drive non-stop for forty kilometers (about 25 miles). Fairly leisurely in pace, Meguru can still pick up some speed, apparently up to 40 km/h (25mph). The car is actually already registered as a road vehicle and can be driven in public. so keep your eyes peeled!.
On the right is a picture of me enjoying the cushioned seating with the very friendly Kiyonobu Agata-san, one of the people behind the project.
A few years ago a Japanese university developed the BamGoo, a small EV made of bamboo. Could this be the start of a new Back to Japan eco car trend?
William is Editor of JapanTrends.com and a Project Manager at 
Where and when can I get Meguru electric bamboo car?
Thanks,
David
Thanks for sharing this great concept of Electric Car. With Bamboo as its material I wonder how safe this vehicle would be in the event of collision, but I am sure this vehicle will draw crowds in popular tourist places like Kyoto or Nikko.
The flooring is made from bamboo but the body is iron, at least that’s what the above says. It could probably survive a light crash and clearly must meet basic safety requirements since it already has a licence to be driven on normal roads…
Where and when can I get Meguru electric bamboo car?
Thanks,
David
@David, Steve
Perhaps try contacting the makers?!?
LOL like a typical rickshaws~~~ but added head lamps XDD
Wacky as hell and not at all practical…but cool for tourists, I guess.