The Microlino Lite is a low power version of the Microlino that only requires a moped license in Europe. It might show up here as a LSV. Two battery options for a 100 to 177 km range. Don't know what standard that is under; WLTP has tests for low powered cars. "Although the Microlino Lite is targeting Europe on day one, Micro co-founder and CMO Merlin Ouboter says the Microlino Lite is eligible for registration in the US as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) and hopes to have the first Microlinos there by the end of 2024." The Microlino Lite is here to make urban SUVs look even dumber - The Verge
Very interesting. A number of Automobile Manufacturers are redefining themselves as Mobility Companies- the product you posted is an example why. Reforming Our Company to Become a "Mobility Company" | Message from Management | Company | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website Toyota Mobility | Our Mission
It works like the ICE inspiration. The drive unit runs backwards for reverse. edit: Or am I thinking of another classic micro car?
Max of 45km/h, too fast/big for paths and too slow for most roads but neighborhood city roads where the limit is 40 km/h. What it's place? For 12 to 14 year old kids to go see their friends within the same block or go to their close by school?
"You can fit about three microcars in the same space required to park an SUV and their light weight allows them to consume far less energy than a standard EV. They’re great for city commutes to work, quick trips to the market, dropping a kid off at school, and transporting your pet to the dog park."
Also for those with limited mobility, or those simply don't need, or pay for, a highway capable car. Narrow roads and limited parking are real issues for European cities, which is why this low speed car segment has been around for some time there. Registering it for LSV sales in the US is a way of expanding production some, and gauging whether the cost of introducing the full function Microlino is worth it. I was thinking of the Messerschmitt KR200. "The engine had two sets of contact breaker points and, to reverse, the engine was stopped and then restarted, going backwards. This was effected by pushing the key further in the ignition switch than normal, whether intentionally or not. One result of this was that the KR200's sequential, positive-stop transmission provided the car with the same four gear ratios available in reverse as in forward movement." Messerschmitt KR200 - Wikipedia Once saw a story of someone's father building a tiny garage for the one he was getting, but then got trapped inside when he couldn't figure out how to reverse the car/scooter. Someone is making replicas; EV and ICE. Messerschmitt's three-wheeler bubble car resurrected in Germany - Autoblog
But there is quite a jump from 45 km/h max speed and highway (100 km/h?) speed. Here in Canada, we often have 70 km/h road speed to connect two neighborhoods within the same city. Moped or scooter going at a max of 60 km/h is acceptable but 45? They'll be tailgated like crazy here at those speed. Imagine a large F150 tailgating that car. He won't even see it pass its hood!
LSVs, NEVs, or whatever they are called aren't allowed on such roads in the US, and I doubt Europe would allow it either. So these won't work for those with such situations, but there are plenty of places where they will. Specially in their home market. There already are EV and ICE LSVs for sale in the US. It is not like Microlino is proposing a brand new thing for the market here.
I checked for the regulations around here and it says "Low-speed vehicles (LSV) must be registered and, if they comply with the Regulation respecting low-speed vehicles, they can travel on public roadways where the posted speed limit is no more than 50 km/h", So that limits them to within their neighborhood or large private properties like universities or event centers.
Yep, which is why NEV is used for such by some states; Neighborhood Electric Vehicle. The full power Microlino can do 55mph, which would be far more useful here as an about town vehicle. But regulations mean such a car would have to comply with all the rules for a true car. That means higher cost, if it is even possible to accomplish. This is why there companies doing trikes like Aptera.
