Autofold Automatic Folding Electric Wheelchair

Drive AutoFold Powerchair – Automatic Folding Electric Wheelchair

The Drive AutoFold Powerchair is a compact automatic folding electric wheelchair designed to make everyday mobility and travel easier.

At the touch of a button, the AutoFold can electrically fold or unfold in seconds using the supplied remote-control fob, removing the need to manually operate a folding mechanism. A backup folding switch is also conveniently positioned on the rear of the powerchair. Combining a stylish black aluminium alloy frame, front suspension, lithium battery and compact folding design, the AutoFold is ideal for users looking for a portable powerchair suitable for days out, holidays and everyday mobility.

Automatic Folding at the Touch of a Button

The standout feature of the Drive AutoFold is its electric auto-folding mechanism. Rather than manually folding the powerchair, the user or carer can operate the mechanism using the supplied remote-control fob. A secondary switch on the rear of the chair provides an alternative way to activate the folding system.

This makes preparing the powerchair for transportation or storage particularly straightforward.

Once folded, its compact design makes the AutoFold suitable for transportation in cars and for travel by train, coach or aeroplane, subject to the individual transport provider's requirements. Drive specifically highlights its compact folded format as a key travel feature.

Lightweight Aluminium Alloy Frame

The AutoFold is built around a striking black aluminium alloy frame, combining strength with a relatively manageable overall weight. Drive specifies the aluminium frame at 28 kg excluding the battery, while the complete product weight is listed as approximately 30 kg.

The powerchair supports a maximum user weight of 150 kg / 23.6 stone, providing an impressive capacity for a folding electric wheelchair.

4 mph Maximum Speed

The Drive AutoFold has a maximum speed of 4 mph, making it well suited to everyday pedestrian environments. Its lithium battery provides a manufacturer-stated maximum range of approximately 7.5 miles / 12 km, although actual range will vary according to user weight, terrain, gradients, temperature and battery condition.

Lightweight Lithium Battery

Power is supplied by a removable 24V 10Ah lithium battery. One battery is required to operate the chair, and its lightweight removable design makes charging and transportation more convenient. The battery uses a three-pin charging connection and supports both on-board and off-board charging.

Off-board charging can be especially convenient when the powerchair itself is being stored in a garage, hallway or vehicle.

Spare batteries are also available, providing the option of additional range when travelling or spending longer periods away from a charging point.

Intelligent Joystick Control

Everyday driving is controlled using an intuitive joystick controller.

The controller incorporates:

• Speed indicator
• Battery level gauge
• Speed adjustment controls
• Horn
• Joystick directional control

This provides the main driving information and controls within easy reach of the user.

Front Suspension for Improved Comfort

The AutoFold features front suspension to help provide a smoother and more comfortable ride over everyday surfaces. This is complemented by puncture-proof PU tyres, eliminating the inconvenience of conventional pneumatic tyre punctures.

The powerchair uses Linix brushless DC motors and electromagnetic braking for controlled everyday operation.

Comfortable Adjustable Seating

Despite its focus on portability, the AutoFold includes a range of comfort and adjustment features. The chair is equipped with a removable padded seat cushion and padded backrest, while the backrest height can be adjusted between approximately 48 and 58 cm. The armrests are both angle adjustable and flip-up, which can help provide easier access when transferring to or from the powerchair. A flip-up footrest further improves access to the seat.

Practical Storage as Standard

The AutoFold includes useful storage for everyday essentials. An under-seat storage bag provides an easily accessible place for personal belongings, while an additional pouch is incorporated into the backrest. Both are supplied as standard.

Safety and Stability

Drive has incorporated several safety features into the AutoFold, including:

• Anti-tip wheels
• Lap belt
• Electromagnetic brakes
• Puncture-proof tyres
• Front suspension

The powerchair has a maximum climbing angle of 6° and a minimum turning radius of approximately 100 cm / 39 inches.

Key features

• Electric automatic folding powerchair
• Folds and unfolds at the touch of a button
• Remote-control folding fob supplied
• Backup folding switch on the rear of the chair
• Stylish black aluminium alloy frame
• Compact folding design for transportation and storage
• Suitable for car, train, coach and air travel subject to operator requirements
• Maximum speed of 4 mph
• Maximum range of approximately 7.5 miles / 12 km
• Maximum user weight of 150 kg / 23.6 stone
• Front suspension for additional comfort
• Height-adjustable padded backrest
• Removable padded seat cushion
• Angle-adjustable, flip-up armrests
• Flip-up footrest
• Intelligent joystick controller
• Battery and speed gauges
• Lightweight removable lithium battery
• On-board or off-board charging
• Linix brushless DC motors
• Electromagnetic braking
• Puncture-proof PU tyres
• Anti-tip wheels
• Lap belt
• Under-seat storage bag

Specification

• Maximum speed: 4 mph
• Maximum range: 7.5 miles / 12 km
• Maximum user weight: 150 kg / 23.6 stone
• Overall height: 98 cm / 38.6"
• Overall width: 63 cm / 24.8"
• Overall length: 101 cm / 39.8"
• Closed width: 63 cm / 24.8"
• Seat height: 51 cm / 20"
• Seat width: 44 cm / 17.3"
• Seat depth: 44 cm / 17.3"
• Backrest height: 48–58 cm / 18.8–22.8"
• Backrest width: 45.5 cm / 17.9"
• Product weight: 30 kg
• Frame weight excluding battery: 28 kg
• Battery: 24V 10Ah LG lithium
• Number of batteries: 1
• Charging: On-board or off-board
• Motors: Linix brushless DC
• Minimum turning radius: 100 cm / 39"
• Maximum gradient: 6°
• Tyres: Puncture-proof PU
• Brakes: Electromagnetic

Compact Powerchair for Travel

The automatic folding mechanism makes the AutoFold particularly attractive for users who regularly transport their powerchair. Instead of dismantling multiple components, the chair can be folded electrically into a more compact format. Drive specifically identifies the folded design as suitable for transportation by car, train, coach and aeroplane.

For air travel, customers should always contact their airline before travelling to confirm its current requirements for carrying lithium batteries and powered mobility equipment.

Easy On-Board or Off-Board Charging

The removable lithium battery provides flexibility when charging. Users can charge the battery while it remains installed in the powerchair or remove it for off-board charging. This can be particularly useful when the chair itself is stored somewhere without convenient access to a power socket.

Only one 24V 10Ah lithium battery is required, while optional spare batteries can provide additional range when required.

Who Is the Drive AutoFold Powerchair For?

The AutoFold is designed for people who require powered mobility but also want a wheelchair that can be folded for transportation and storage.

It may be particularly attractive to:

• Powerchair users who regularly travel by car
• Users looking for an automatic rather than manually folding chair
• People who take their powerchair on holidays and days out
• Users who want a removable lithium battery
• Families and carers who regularly transport a powerchair
• Users requiring a folding chair with a higher 150 kg weight capacity

Individual suitability will depend on factors including seating requirements, transfer ability, driving controls and the user's ability to safely operate the powerchair.

Automatic Folding vs Manual Folding Powerchairs

Many portable powerchairs still require the frame to be manually folded. The Drive AutoFold takes a different approach by incorporating an electrically powered folding system with remote fob operation.

This can be particularly helpful for users or carers who find manipulating a manual folding mechanism difficult.

It is worth remembering that automatic folding does not mean the powerchair is automatically lifted into a vehicle. At approximately 30 kg, the complete chair will still require appropriate manual-handling consideration when loading it into a car.

Why Choose the Drive AutoFold Powerchair?

The Drive AutoFold Powerchair combines automatic folding convenience with practical everyday powered mobility. Its remote electric folding system is the headline feature, but the chair also offers a strong overall specification with a 150 kg user capacity, 4 mph maximum speed, 7.5-mile stated range, removable lithium battery and front suspension.

Add comfortable adjustable seating, puncture-proof tyres, practical storage and compact folding, and the AutoFold provides an attractive solution for users looking for a travel-friendly electric wheelchair without having to manually fold the frame.