A number of years ago I did some research on wheel chairs for a co-worker. We settled on a Yamaha motorized wheel chair. But we had to import it ourselves as it is not approved for import by the FDA.
The chair weighs 53 pounds, including the battery. It folds like a conventional wheel chair. The Lithium Ion battery lifts out like a small brief case and can be charged in the house or by the car cigarette lighter. There are two motors. One in each wheel hub.
The one we bought had a joy stick to operate it. You get about 12 to 15 miles out of each charge. The battery lasts for about 400 re-charges, and the last I checked cost about $400.00.
The chair cost $3,200.00 about 10 years ago. But no van was needed.
The newer ones have the motor switch in the hand grasps (chrome rings outside the wheel). They make is so that each push of the hand grasps is of the same resistance whether you are going up hill or on the level. This is so that the operator gets some exercise--but does not struggle. It also creates a braking mechanism when going down hill.
The down side is that it is not imported to the USA, and technically it is contraband.
We ordered it directly from Yamaha. The advised us that if it was turned away we would only be responsible for the shipping costs. Apparently the athorities were too busy with the cocaine, fake Rolexes, and fake Guccis to take notice of our wheel chair. (Or, perhaps wheel chairs are not high on the priority list for contraband confiscation.)
The chair is made entirely of aluminum and has beautifully executed welds. My guess is that the frame will last a lifetime. The battery is good for about 1 year. I don't know about the motors--but my friend has yet to replace his.
You will have to Google "Yamaha wheel chairs". You might be able to get it from Canada. I know that you can get them from England. But I'd write to Yamaha first.
This is my first recommendation for a wheel chair because it is safer (especially down hill) and spares the arm muscles to some extent.
They also sell kits to retro-fit existing wheel chairs (wheel hubs and motors + controller). But the Yamaha wheel chair is so exquisitly well-made I would get the entire thing from Yamaha.
Here's the link (a re-seller):
http://www.easywheel.com.sg/documents/catalog.php?action=item&iid=184&cat=12&page=1
If you pop the battery out beforehand (it takes just one second to do so), then the wheel chair itself weighs about 32 pounds.
