Designed and manufactured in France by Benoit Systemes, the Light Drive 2.1 is the latest version of the popular Light Drive add-on. It features a unique friction-drive mechanism, the motors transmitting their motion directly to your tyres, propelling the wheelchair for you. It includes an ergonomic joystick that allows for convenient control of your wheelchair.
With a top speed of 6.2 mph, and a range of up to 10 miles thanks to its light lithium battery, the Light Drive will take you further and faster. It can tackle grass, gravel and slopes, which typically are a challenge to self-propel on. Should you wish to switch back to manual mode temporarily, the clutches can be quickly disengaged to allow you to self-propel again.
The Light Drive will fit to almost every manual wheelchair, taking just seconds to fit. It requires very little in the way of bracketry to be left on your wheelchair when not in use, and ensures that you still get the full benefits of your manual wheelchair when not in use - with no compromises on weight, folding ability, or need to adjust the centre of gravity. What's more, the Light Drive 2.1 is approved for air transport, making it the ideal travel companion on holidays or business trips.
The latest version of the Light Drive is the 2.1, which includes a new anti-tip to ensure your stability, and a more ergonomic clutch system for engaging/disengaging the drive. The Light Drive 2.1 is also available in a choice of 15 colours, ensuring it doesn't compromise the style of your wheelchair.
Our Verdict
We've been impressed by the performance of the Light Drive - it's a reliable, well-built piece of equipment, and once you have the knack for fitting it, it's incredibly easy to mount and remove.
We recommend trying the Light Drive alongside Alber's E-Fix system, which achieves the same goal (transforming a manual chair to a powered one) in a different way - that has its own wheels with motors and batteries built in. Both are good products, and personal preference tends to come down to which people find easier to attach.
For younger people, a Light Drive Mini is available, while for heavier people the Light Drive Plus is available with a weight capacity of up to 240 kg.
