Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich

Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich Last spring, BMW and Daimler launched the Visio.M urban EV project with the help of German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), which provided about $14 million in startup funding. The goal was to develop EVs whose power maxed out at about 20 horsepower and which tipped the scales at less than 1,000 pounds. Check out Visio's press release below.

Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich

Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich

Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich

Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich

The Visio.M urban electric vehicle, launched last year by BMW and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, is on the road. Well, test site roads anyway, where a prototype of the lightweight EV is being evaluated near Munich.

The car uses carbon fiber and other composite materials to provide what Visio.M's partners say is "the best of both worlds." That means materials that can make a car light enough to minimize electric-power needs but safe enough to drive around the city streets. An anti-lock braking system, specially designed seatbelts and a drivetrain system that cuts weight by about 15 percent are among the car's advancements.Visio.M all-electric prototype tested near Munich