Ark, a London-based EV start-up, has launched its first electric car, a quadricycle called the Ark Zero, claiming it’s the most affordable EV in the United Kingdom, where it is offered exclusively. With a price tag of £5 995 (€7 012), this microcar is a competitor to Citroen’s Ami (£7 695) on the other side of the Channel.

With its 2 500 mm in length, 1 202 mm in width, and 1 625 mm in height, the Ark Zero is shorter but higher than the latter. Its central steering wheel positions the driver in the front, with the possibility for ‘one passenger and a dog’ in the back seat.

Parking ‘vertically’

Being just as long as the original SmartForTwo, you can accomplish vertical parking using just one-fourth of a conventional parking space. The monocoque body is entirely made from aluminum, offering better energy absorption in case of an accident, next to being lighter and better corrosion-resistant. The microcar only weighs 498 kg.

The Ark Zero gets a 2.2 kW (3 hp) electric motor and a lithium-ion battery offering a range of about 50,3 miles or 81 kilometers, according to the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC). The top speed is 28 mph (45 km/h), so highways are out of the question for this city car. Charging can be done at any regular plug up to 7.4 kW.

The Ark Zero is an all-inclusive car without options, including electric windows, a sunroof, a backup camera, LED lights, a central LCD infotainment screen, and Bluetooth connectivity. The only thing to choose is the color: red, black, white, or grey. Ark claims it can deliver in 14 to 16 weeks, in the UK only for now.