Since the 1980s, there has been a noticeable change in the automotive industry — cars are getting heavier. Dubbed “autobesity,” this phenomenon has seen the average weight of cars increase by over 1,000 pounds over that time.
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This trend has only been exacerbated by the rise of electric vehicles (EVs), which carry batteries that can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds alone. Yet, amidst this movement, a new player has emerged: the Microlino.
This Italian-made electric vehicle boasts a total weight that is about half of what the heavier batteries of other EVs clock in at. Weighing in at just about 1,300 pounds, the Microlino is being marketed as a space-saving electric bubble car.
In some countries, the Microlino Lite model can be driven by individuals as young as 14 years old who do not possess a valid driver’s license. The full-sized version includes a battery capable of covering distances of around 110 miles, with a top speed of 55 miles per hour.
While the Microlino may not be suitable for long road trips, it presents a possible solution for drivers living in urban areas. Its small size aids in navigating and parking in bustling city streets, and it can be charged almost anywhere with a three-pronged outlet.
The Microlino currently sells for approximately $20,000 for basic models, offering a more affordable alternative in the EV market.
However, industry experts have cautioned about some drawbacks of the Microlino.
While its charging port offers convenience, it can take up to three hours to achieve a full battery charge. Leaving it plugged in beyond that timeframe has resulted in reports of the car refusing to start. The vehicle also lacks airbags, potentially exposing drivers to additional safety risks in accidents, particularly given its diminutive stature in comparison to larger vehicles on the road.
[JACK AYLMMER]
SINCE THE 1980’S THE AVERAGE WEIGHT OF A CAR HAS INCREASED BY OVER ONE THOUSAND POUNDS.
A TREND KNOWN AS AUTOBIESTY.
AND IT’S BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE RISE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WHICH CARRY BATTERIES THAT CAN WEIGH AS MUCH AS 2,000 POUNDS ALONE.
ENTER THE MICROLINO.
IT’S AN EV WITH A TOTAL WEIGHT that’s ABOUT HALF OF WHAT THOSE HEAVIER BATTERIES CLOCK IN AT.
AT JUST ABOUT THIRTEEN HUNDRED POUNDS, THIS ITALIAN MADE MINI VEHICLE IS BEING ADVERTISED AS A SPACE SAVING ELECTRIC BUBBLE CAR.
IT’S SO SMALL THAT IN SOME COUNTRIES THE MICROLINO LITE MODEL CAN BE DRIVEN BY PEOPLE AS YOUNG AS 14 WHO DON’T EVEN HAVE A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE.
THE FULL-SIZED VERSION INCLUDES A BATTERY CAPABLE OF COVERING DISTANCES AROUND 110 MILES, WHILE REACHING A TOP SPEED OF 55 MILES PER HOUR.
WHILE THAT PROBABLY RULES IT OUT FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS, it COULD BE A PERFECT FOR DRIVERS LIVING IN MORE URBAN AREAS.
IT’S SIZE CAN HELP WITH NAVIGATING AND PARKING AROUND BUSTLING CITY STREETS, AND IT CAN BE CHARGED UP ALMOST ANYWHERE WITH A THREE PRONGED OUTLET.
THE BASIC MODELS ARE CURRENTLY SELLING FOR ABOUT $20,000, BUT SOME INDUSTRY EXPERTS HAVE WARNED ABOUT ITS DRAWBACKS.
WHILE THE CONVENIENCE IT’S CHARGING PORT OFFERS IS GREAT, IT CAN TAKE ABOUT 3 HOURS TO GET A FULL BATTERY.
LEAVE IT ON ANY LONGER THOUGH, AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE CAR WILL THEN REFUSE TO START.
THE MICROLINO ALSO DOESN’T COME WITH AIRBAGS, POTENTIALLY EXPOSING DRIVERS TO FURTHER SAFETY RISKS IN ACCIDENTS.
AND WITH THIS CAR ITS A SAFE BET THAT ANY MAJOR COLLISIONS IT ENCOUNTERS WILL BE WITH SOMETHING BIGGER AND HEAVIER.
PROBABLY COULD HAVE USED THOSE AIRBAGS IN THAT CASE.
THE MICROLINO MIGHT NOT BE THE BEST CAR FOR EVERYONE.
I MEAN, MICRO CARS THEMSELVES MIGHT NOT BE THE TOP CHOICE FOR THE AVERAGE DRIVER.
BUT, WITH EVS OCCUPYING MORE SPACE ON ROADWAYS EVERYDAY, THERE’S STILL PLENTY OF ROOM LEFT FOR THIS LITTLE ONE.
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