News

This drawing shows what our first production vehicle, the *mc², will look like. We've kept the mc²* remarkably simple. With the parts count so low, so there are fewer things to malfunction. The other pictures on the page are of our proof-of-concept (POC) prototype, which serves as a test mule for the systems in the production vehicle.	The headlight and turnsignals are behind Lexan windows. Frontal area is a little less than it will be in the second prototype (which will be the X Prize competition vehicle). Even this first prototype will eventually have faired-in suspension and wheels, but the hybrid drivetrain will be installed first.
In this side view of the POC, you can see the motor scooter engine/transmission module. Just 50cc can push the POC to 50 mph. The tiny rear wheel doesn't promote great handling, but works fine for its temporary duty.	This prototype is constructed to the "chewing gum and popsicle stick standard" often seen in third grade science fairs. It looks OK from 30 feet away, but is pretty rough, and only primed. The second prototype will be much closer to production vehicle standards. This prototype was also built from as many inexpensive production components as possible, with some things (such as the front brakes and spindles) being suitable for a vehicle of 4-5 times the weight. The second prototype will have each component more closely optimized for performance and life-cycle cost.
03/19/08: $13,995! Soon, we will be taking launch customer deposits for the plug-in hybrid *mc²*. We expect deliveries to begin in June 2009. Investors: Our intent is that Gaia Transport Corporation will be largely customer-owned. Rather than being driven by a venture capital firm looking for a ten-to-one return on investment, we will be driven by customers and enthusiasts who hope for a reasonable return and want to be involved in shaping the business as much from an ethical and environmental perspective as from a profit perspective. Of course, the business cannot endure if it does not make money, but we seek a balance in value to investors, employees, customers and society at large. For the smaller investors we envision, this must be considered a very high-risk investment. We will be doing a direct public offering (DPO), which is permitted in most, but not all, states. Ordinarily, investment at this stage is done by "qualified" investors or VC firms, either of which is presumed to have the sophistication and means to evaluate an early stage investment. The states which frown on DPOs are saying, in effect: this is too risky. This is not the sort of investment to use as your primary "nest egg." We hope to have the details of the DPO ironed out by late April. If you might have an interest in investing, email me, (Ken at this site) and I will put you on a list to be notified when the prospectus is ready to distribute.