Move easily in city traffic, park effortlessly in the tightest spaces and recharge the vehicle with a simple socket. All this, without emitting a gram of CO2. Welcome to the world of electric minicars, a category of vehicles that is rapidly gaining popularity as a solution to the congestion and pollution problems plaguing many cities.
Intelligent designs, increasingly efficient batteries and a growing ecosystem of sharing and rental services. Even those who turn up their noses criticizing their appearance or their function will do well to get used to it: they will see more and more of them around.
An answer to traffic and pollution problems
Increasing traffic congestion and alarming levels of air pollution (million deaths per year: I know, it seems incredible) are problems that affect many cities around the world. This is why electric minicars present themselves as a promising solution.
In terms of mobility, we need to start thinking about how we are moving. If we think about modern cars and how big and heavy they have become, this is absolutely the wrong direction. We need to be more sustainable and cars need to become smaller.
Merlin Ouboter, co-founder of microline
A new generation of electric minicars
They are not an absolute novelty (remember the legendary Peel P50 from the 60s?) we are witnessing a real rebirth of this segment thanks to the adoption of electric propulsion. Companies like Microlino, with its retro Isetta-inspired design, or Silence, with its innovative S04 Nanocar, are redefining the concept of minicars for the 21st century.
These new midgets offer ranges of up to 180 kilometers (even more in the case of the Microlino) and top speeds of 90 km/h. Figures that begin to make them suitable not only for urban travel but also for short excursions "out of town". And if you consider, as mentioned, that many of these microcars are designed to be recharged via a normal household socket, there is also no need for a dedicated charging infrastructure. You understand?
The "flexible" little sister of the traditional small car
In addition to the advantages in terms of agility and sustainability, electric minicars are also emerging as a more economical option compared to traditional small cars. Models like the Citroën Ami or the Eli Zero have very competitive list prices, which make them accessible to a wide range of users.
Rental or subscription formulas then allow you to use microcars flexibly, without having to deal with the costs and responsibilities associated with ownership. For example, Silence offers in Spain the possibility of subscribing to a service that includes both the use of the scooter and the minicar at an "all-in-one" price.
And that's just the beginning
If we talk about public perception, there is still some work to do: the idea of the traditional car as a status symbol is still too deeply rooted.
The opportunities offered by electric minicars will end up undermining this construct too. Less traffic and pollution, more inclusive mobility, integration with shared mobility and public transport services will lead to an overall rethink of the way we move in cities. The min8car will be a cultural change that enhances the sustainability and efficiency of travel.
To move towards a better future, we will make it happen, sometimes you have to think small.
