Affordable city electric car

The following appears on the RAC website. Having just beetravelling in Italy where micro cars seem the norm in some cities, I found this article interesting. It seems to me that cars like that described would make for perfect transport in towns and cities. Maybe this is the next step in moving towards sustainable motor vehicle transport, though of course not suited to everyone.

I think a link to the RAC website might contravene forum rules as they do sell things, so copied instead:

A Swedish company has developed a new flatpack and ultra-sustainable electric car – and the UK is set to be one of the first nations to see them out on the roads.

Luvly, a Stockholm-based technology company, has developed these light urban vehicles (LUVs) with the aim of creating affordable access to ethical, safe passenger and cargo transport options.

The aim is to democratise the benefits of a plug-in car with vehicles that are more practical, affordable, and efficient, as well as safer for pedestrians and other drivers than traditional family cars and SUVs."

“A unique flatpack solution enables assembly close to the end-user – drawing comparisons to fellow Swedish company IKEA – this means that if a driver purchases a Luvly vehicle, they will be reducing the carbon emissions and cost of shipping.”

“Targeted at those living in major towns and cities, the vehicle is the fifth of the weight of a typical electric car and comes with a portable battery that can be charged at your home or place of work.”

“The ‘Luvly O’ could be seen on UK roads by the end of 2023.”

“The two-seater will come with a range of around 61 miles, and a top speed of 56mph. Excluding batteries, the total weight of the vehicle is less than 400kgs.”

“Designed with Koenigsegg hypercar alumnus Joachim Nordwall, it will be powered by two removable batteries – all for the cost of around £8,600.”

“Håkan Lutz, CEO and Founder of Luvly, commented: “Luvly was founded on the belief that the negative aspects of cars - environmental harm, cost, danger to pedestrians and other road-users, space inefficiency - can be mitigated by combining modern technological solutions with futuristic design.”

“Our light urban vehicles emphasise the values of positive communal living: consideration, temperance, and taking responsibility not just for yourself, not even just for your children, but also for your neighbour."

“In many markets, consumers are ready to eschew expensive, polluting, dangerous cars in favour of more fit-for-purpose solutions."

“With our combination of patented tech innovation and sophisticated licensing and logistics structures, we believe Luvly is poised to become a world-leader in the urban transport of the decades ahead.”

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Think it’s a great idea for heavily populated cities of Europe.

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I love the Citroen Ami and would have one if I lived in a town or city. It does 45 miles to a charge top speed of 28. If it did 40-50 top speed and close to 80 range then I’d have one. We are in semi rural Somerset and I think even our speedy tractor drivers would get hacked off behind the little Citroen. Not to mention Lycra Mikes taking flight past it!

When we were in Paris in February, an Ami stoped for us to cross the road. Once we’d crossed, off it went. It may not have a great top speed but it accelerated like a rocket. Fantastic in the town. The Luvly does look, well, lovely.

I’ve been running this Silence S01 for two years now on local journeys and shopping trips. Real world range is 50 miles, 70 if top speed is restricted to 35 mph. Battery is removable and takes 7 hours to fully charge from ordinary 3 pin socket ( 650 watts ). It cost about £5000 28 months ago but is getting on for £7000 now with reduced government subsidy. Very low running costs and traffic beating acceleration ( unless you have a Tessla).

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The problem with the Ami is that, in France at least, kids over 14 are allowed to drive them - you don’t need a licence. The majority of drivers tend to be spoilt 5th-year kids who use them to go to school…

Nice for taking with a motorhome on holiday (though I’d feel very self conscious riding a scooter instead of a good (non-Harley) motorbike…
But no good at home for things like the shopping run etc, when carrying capacity and shelter from the rain are essential! Thats where small electric cars would excel.

April 1st is coming around very late this year!

But I don’t think it’s a joke… even if it looks like one!!

Smart For Two EQ. Fast charge, fast acceleration, 1/2 size for parking, tiny turning circle. Pity no bike rack.

But more than double the price of the car opening this thread!
And half the size of what? Not the Luvly-O, which is about the same length but narrower, and there are smaller cars than the fourtwo… (or at least there are cars that look smaller though I haven’t checked measurements). On paper the Luvly-O has the same range as the Fourtwo, but less than half the energy usage, probably because it is less than half the weight.

The one thing the Luvly misses out on is that it would not make a very good bumper-car (AKA Dodgem), which in cities would be the best means of transport - prangs would be half the fun!

You might enjoy me and mon ami on you tube.

Two gentlemen and their adventures in an an ami based along the French Riviera.
Last night’s trip took us to luncheon in Tourette sur Loup. Slowly.

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How about this one?

And what is that?

it’s a Rivian truck, EV king of the road here in the US.

I think they used those as support vehicles in Ewan McGregor’s Long Way Up series, along with some Harley Davidson Electric bikes.

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Yes, you got it. :wink:

Now they are in real world use, no longer prototypes as you saw in the series.

Somehow at over twice the length of the others above, I’m not convinced it meets the concept of a “city car” - certainly not in Europe - and at a cost that would buy numerous Luvlys or Amis, and even Smarts, I think the “affordable” concept is questionable!

However if they were to make a 6m chassis version with more forward/higher cab, that would be great for conversion to a motorhome, also appeal to the van market for long distance use especially when needing to enter emission zones (again thinking Europe).

Sinclair C5? I believe it was revamped by Sir Clive’s nephew or other relative.

I am just pulling your leg here. :slight_smile:
Apologies for the bad sense of humour.

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