Back in the 1960s, micro-sized ‘bubble cars’ were viewed as the future of urban mobility, and now that vision is coming back as somewhat of a reality thanks to the development of a battery-powered version of the iconic city car.
Based on the Isetta, the retro three-wheeled, two-seater vehicle with its famous front-opening door, is being put into production by ElectricBrands, which recently saved the project from ending on the scrap heap after it purchased German manufacturer Artega who ran into financial difficulties.
Together with the XBUS, ElectricBrands is expanding its product range with another sustainable, eco-friendly electric car boasting a modern retro style.
The first product under new management will be the electric two-seater KARO, to be launched under a new name in early 2023. At 2.48 meters long and 1.50 meters wide, the vehicle can even park sideways. With a range of up to 200 kilometers, the electric car is ideal for urban driving. At the same time, the miniature model can reach a top speed of 90 km/h – emission-free. A lightweight vehicle, it is built following the same design principle as the XBUS thus allowing it to slot into the ElectricBrands AG product range.
The small electric vehicle in Isetta retro style is just about to go into final development. A type approval, the homologation, has already been obtained, so nothing stands in the way of production for this miniature car. ElectricBrands is currently setting up its assembly lines in Göttingen. The first year should see 30,000 cars roll off the production line. The first cars are to be launched on the market in early 2023. The company also hopes to create about 250 new jobs in the region.
