Abe Hopper, president and CEO of Vexel Automotion, watched his mother-in-law struggle with spina bifida. I watched her go through various lifts and chairs and devices and as her condition worsened as she got older. Always in the back of my mind I thought theres got to be a better way for people in wheelchairs to get around.

And he found it. Its Quovis, a low-speed vehicle (LSV) made in Spain that allows those in wheelchairs to simply roll in and drive away. It has hand controls and air conditioning and features front wheel drive. Powered by a 505cc fuel-injected, computer-controlled engine, the Quovis can achieve 90 mpg in urban areas.

Hopper is now working to bring Quovis to the U.S. but it should be noted that as a low-speed vehicle, its only allowed on roads with 35 MPH speed limits or lower (although some state laws vary).


Quovis is truly different. It doesnt fit the normal niche. Most manufacturers [of vehicles for wheelchair users] are taking existing platforms of GM vans and converting them. The mobility market in this country is always working on converting some other manufacturers product, Hopper said. This is the only purpose-built vehicle for wheelchair users that I am aware of. You dont have to go through four chair changes to go and get a quart of milk.

Find out all about it at www.quovis.com.

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