I wrote my first post about the cute all-electric Microlino in 2018, and my second in 2020, but at last it looks as if the car will finally start production this month (March), with first deliveries in April or May.
From Autoweek
The bubble-shaped Microlino 2.0 is headed into production in a matter of weeks, despite the delays and disruptions prompted by the pandemic. Micro Mobility Systems has revealed that production will begin in March of this year, following the model's favorable debut at the Munich IAA Mobility last fall.
The Isetta-styled EV, designed and engineered by a Swiss company, is slated to be produced in Turin, Italy, and to go on sale in Switzerland later this year before a wider rollout in Europe. The two-seater will feature a 25-hp motor drawing power from a choice of three batteries, offering 6-, 10.5-, and 14-kWh capacities, which are expected to be good for 60, 109, and 143 miles of range, respectively. [95, 175 and 230 km]
Micro Mobility Systems says that it is already producing pre-production examples for testing and process optimization, despite some component shortages. The company projects that the first customer examples will be delivered in April or May. The configurator, meanwhile, is expected to go live in February, with the company having reported over 24,000 reservations back in the fall of 2021.
"Our goal was to deliver the first vehicles to customers within the end of the year [2021] but the worldwide supply chain chaos is affecting us like many other carmakers," the company indicated. "Despite our preparations to order crucial parts way in advance, the situation has gotten much worse and is now affecting more and more parts. Now, even commodity parts like simple connectors for the wiring harness have become scarce and have lead times of up to 50 weeks!"
The bubble car won't actually be classified as a car in the EU, but rather as a quadricycle, allowing for more liberal licensing, but its 56-mph top speed will also keep it off the autoroutes. With a starting price of around [US]$14,000, the Microlino 2.0 could be a popular alternative to other low-ranged EVs and electric scooters, as well as some actual electric cars with similar ranges.
For example, the longest-range 143-mile trim level could eclipse the ranges some larger EVs like the Mini Cooper SE and the Mazda MX-30, but will be far cheaper to purchase and use for in-town driving, while taking up far less parking space than even something relatively small, like a Volkswagen ID.3. These range numbers are unofficial for now, but given its modest power requirements, a small and light vehicle can stretch its range past larger EVs even with a smaller battery.
"The long anticipated online configurator is almost ready and will be launched in February, with the first test drive events following soon afterwards," the company added. "Apart from the three editions Urban, Dolce, and Competizione that we already unveiled, we will introduce the exclusive limited-edition for the first 500 Microlinos ever produced, called Pioneer Series."
Micro Mobility Systems does not have plans to offer the Microlino 2.0 in the US at the moment, and given the reception that small electric hatches have received it may seem quite logical. The main constraint for its maker at the moment is production capacity in Turin, given the demand in Europe. It will be quite some time before the Microlino could be ready for other global markets, ones friendlier to small EVs, with the company prioritizing western Europe first.
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