Micro Mobility has unveiled a new modification of its microcar called the Microlino, which it calls a modern take on the legendary BMW Isetta. Called Lite, it packs an even smaller e-motor and is legal to drive from the age of 14 in some EU countries. The sales will begin later this spring.
The standard Microlino (see video) packs a 17-hp (13-kW) motor and can hit 90 km/h (55 mph). Its Lite counterpart is artificially capped at 12 hp (9 kW) and 40 km/h (25 mph). This puts it into the heavy quadricycle category by European standards, which has lower requirements. For instance, heavy quadricycles can be driven from age 14 in France and Italy and from age 15 in Austria and Spain. They also don’t require a car driver’s license – only an easily obtainable scooter/moped license.
The company ships the microcar with two battery options – 5.5 and 11 kilowatt-hours. The former yields 100 km (62 miles) of range on a charge and the latter 180 km (112 miles). The standard Microlino model also has a bigger 15-kWh battery option rated at 220 km (136 miles) of range, but the Lite version doesn’t support it.
On the outside, the only way to tell the Lite version from standard is its different color palette. Specifically, buyers will be choosing between blue and dark grey with orange accents.
