Photo: squadmobility.com
If city traffic is getting the best of you but you’re not ready to part ways with your car or commit to riding a moped or a bicycle, Squad Mobility is offering a half-way solution: the Squad Solar City Car.
The Squad Solar City car is a NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle) or, better put, a moped-type of vehicle that poses as a car. Depending on which model you opt for, it can reach top speeds of 45 km/h (28 mph) or 80 km/h (50 mph). Definitely not built for the highway, the Squad car is solar-powered, sustainable, small, efficient and, despite its diminutive size, very reliable.
As of a few days ago, it’s also more car-like. Initially, Squad Mobility designed this tiny EV focusing on bare functionality, which meant it did not come with doors or side panels. Once pre-orders opened, interest in the vehicle proved overwhelming – as did that in the option of getting it with doors, which render it more car-like and less golf-cart-like. The company did offer protection from the elements as an extra option, with removable side covers.
All Squad EVs can now be delivered with doors: either half doors for splash protection or full doors with windows, for weather protection and improved safety. The latter also offers protection against pollution in the city and should, at least in theory, discourage thieves from stealing it.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should know that the doors remain removable, so you can roll in your tiny solar-powered car like a king in good weather, taking in the clean air and feeling the wind in your hair. Another upgrade consists in an air-conditioning option, which is delivered with the full-door option.
“There are quite a few minor detail updates and some larger ones on the City Car,” Chris Klok, Chief of Design, says. “The solar roof generates 20% more power, by using more powerful cells and increasing the solar cell area. The doors add to the feeling of safety and protection, however, we were also keen on keeping the social interaction and the feeling of freedom the open version offers. Therefore we have opted for removable doors which is a challenging but satisfying solution.”
In addition to the solar panels, Squad EVs come with chargeable batteries for backup and extended range. The can seat 2 passengers in the front and 2 children or cargo in the rear. Pricing starts at €5,750 ($6,403), but these EVs offer the advantage of not having to pay parking or city taxes, insurance fees or other costs related to the maintenance of a car.
As of a few days ago, it’s also more car-like. Initially, Squad Mobility designed this tiny EV focusing on bare functionality, which meant it did not come with doors or side panels. Once pre-orders opened, interest in the vehicle proved overwhelming – as did that in the option of getting it with doors, which render it more car-like and less golf-cart-like. The company did offer protection from the elements as an extra option, with removable side covers.
All Squad EVs can now be delivered with doors: either half doors for splash protection or full doors with windows, for weather protection and improved safety. The latter also offers protection against pollution in the city and should, at least in theory, discourage thieves from stealing it.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should know that the doors remain removable, so you can roll in your tiny solar-powered car like a king in good weather, taking in the clean air and feeling the wind in your hair. Another upgrade consists in an air-conditioning option, which is delivered with the full-door option.
“There are quite a few minor detail updates and some larger ones on the City Car,” Chris Klok, Chief of Design, says. “The solar roof generates 20% more power, by using more powerful cells and increasing the solar cell area. The doors add to the feeling of safety and protection, however, we were also keen on keeping the social interaction and the feeling of freedom the open version offers. Therefore we have opted for removable doors which is a challenging but satisfying solution.”
In addition to the solar panels, Squad EVs come with chargeable batteries for backup and extended range. The can seat 2 passengers in the front and 2 children or cargo in the rear. Pricing starts at €5,750 ($6,403), but these EVs offer the advantage of not having to pay parking or city taxes, insurance fees or other costs related to the maintenance of a car.
Google News