There’s a Growing Need for Microcars in Today’s World
Since the invention of the first car in 1886, there have been many developments in the automobile industry. Today, 136 years later, whether it’s a flyover in LA or the streets of Mumbai, you can spot hundreds of large-built and roaring automobiles dominating roads across the globe.
However, is there really a need for that? This is a question that many people have been asking recently, due to the increasing amount of traffic and congestion that could last for hours.
This question is a legitimate one because often, you can find a car that’s made for 4 being occupied by a single passenger. And if you ask why – the answer is the unavailability of smaller vehicles, specifically, ones that could provide safety that’s on par with a car.
A solution to this already exists – and its microcars. These have existed for a long time, but never quite made it to the frontline. However, these microcars are bound to thrive in today’s world, due to the sustainability and purpose-driven nature of the automobile market.
Let’s look at some new microcars that were introduced and interesting developments that took place in the microcar market this year.
European Manufactures Come Together to Boost Microcar Awareness
Several microcar manufacturers have come together to form a Microcar Coalition in Europe. This coalition presently includes Circle Mobility, City Transformer and Microlino and more are expected to join. The primary aim of this coalition is to spread awareness about microcars and their advantages in developing a sustainable environment.
This awareness is expected to help leverage policies, exemptions and benefits that will encourage people to switch from regular cars to microcars, leading to a more sustainable environment, streamlined traffic and better use of urban space – a lot of which is currently occupied by large-sized cars.
“We are going to revolutionize the future of urban mobility and reclaim cities for people, not for 2-ton cars.” – A bold statement made by Oliver Ouboter, Co-Founder and COO of Microlino, Alain Di Duca, Founder and VP of Business Development of Circle Mobility, and Dr Anat Bonshtien, VP Business Development of City Transformer.
Microcar Developed by Indian Startup Ranked Best in Category at Micromobility Europe
Robin, a microcar developed by Indian startup Wings EV was ranked best in the category at the 2023 Micromobility Europe conference. Wings EV is an electric vehicle startup from the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Indore.
Developed after meticulous planning, research, and testing – Robin is a fully automatic EV that has a range of 90 kilometers on a single charge, and a top speed of 60 km/h, powered by an LFP (Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) battery that can be fully charged in 4.5 hours. This charging can be done with a standard 15A power socket and an onboard charger.
Moreover, the microcar comes with an attractive yet compact design. The width and length are like that of a motorbike, allowing for a seamless driving experience and easy parking, while ensuring the safety of a car with its fully covered body.
Wings EV’s Robin will be classified as an L7 quadricycle, requiring a license and registration. It is currently in the pre-production phase and will be submitted to the Automotive Research Association of India for homologation, an official approval that certifies that a vehicle meets the criteria set by the country and is fit for the roads.
Microcars Might be The Future of The Automobile Industry
The Microcar Coalition in Europe and the EV developed by Indian startup Wings EV are just two of the many developments that have recently taken place in the Microcar industry and market, with many more to come in the next few months and years.
It’s expected that new and existing companies alike will be shifting to a lineup of completely sustainable vehicles such as microcars and other sustainable EVs in the upcoming future, leading to better traffic conditions and wiping out a large portion of vehicle-based emissions.