Three manufacturers of so-called L7e microcars, Microlino, City Transformer, and Circle Mobility, are forging a coalition to convince policymakers to push their products as a viable alternative for full-size cars, especially in cities. They’re considering specific taxation, subsidies, and exemptions for microcars in urban traffic and parking areas.

The coalition that welcomes all other microcar makers to join emphasizes that “L7e (heavy quadricycle) is the EU category for four-wheeled fast microcars that can drive on any type of road, like all full-size cars. This category shouldn’t be confused with L6e vehicles (light quadricycle), which are usually cheap and slow (limited to 45km/h) and are restricted to driving in limited areas.”

Full-fledged alternative

“L6e vehicles are used mainly to support the mobility of elderly people or teenagers who don’t have a driving license.” They say the microcars they offer are a full-fledged alternative for full-size EVs. The latter, weighing often more than two tons, consume considerably more energy and take up a lot of public space in cities, while primarily used to transport only one person.

“The L7e microcars, on the other hand, are an incredible solution to many societal problems,” the initiators claim. “Their deployment will mean less pollution, less urban congestion, more energy-efficient transportation, more safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and above all, more public space for green areas, sidewalks, and all kinds of urban community life.”

Discourage cars out of city centers

Today, they say, approximately 50% of urban public space is devoted to roads and parking. More cities are trying to discourage cars from the city center and push citizens to use public transport instead.

But they point to studies saying that approximately one-third of city-dwellers don’t want to give up the comfort of a private car and compromise their safety, comfort, flexibility, and privacy.

In a recent report, global consultancy firm McKinsey’s Center for Future Mobility states that “mini mobility might be the next big thing in urban mobility”. These microcars are less expensive than standard EVs, occupy less space, and have more parking options while offering greater convenience and comfort than two-wheelers, including the ability to sit and offer better protection from the weather for two passengers.