Good news! Production of the rather excellent Italian Microlino urban electric car is on the way. It seems like we’ve been waiting ages for this tiny electric bubble to begin being made, but according to Micro Mobility Systems (the company that makes it), the Microlino’s production facility in Turin has finally been finished.
After postponements and delays thanks to global supply chain issues - something that’s been affecting the whole car industry during the past couple of years - we’re finally going to see these little cars in real life. With three editions - Urban, Dolce and Competizione - paired with a triplet of ranges (95, 175 and 230km respectively - that’s 59, 109 and 143 miles), this two-seat toy is about as cute as cars get. Don’t park too close to a wall though - the only way into it is through the single front-hinged door. Literally the whole front of the car lifts forward to allow access. Fun, but yes, you do need to be aware how you park.
Apparently the car has a small enough battery to be charged from a normal household socket in just four hours (a bit like the Citroen Ami), and you can park three in a normal parking space - though this isn’t for people barging up and down the motorway network. In fact, it’s direct competition for the Ami, falling under the same ‘quadricycle’ class for tax and insurance, weighing just over half a tonne and capable of a modest 55mph top speed, though given the dimensions, that’s probably going to feel like 155mph… The best bit is that it actually looks like a stylish little piece of automotive jewellery - this is a vehicle you use in cities because it’s practical and stylish, rather than about how much it costs.
And as for that, it’ll list at 12,500 Euros in Italy, which would be around £10,700 at current exchange rates. A lot more than a Citroen Ami, for sure, but what price this much cuteness and practicality?
Read our first drive of the Microlino [HERE]
Microlino launches with three editions - Urban, Dolce and Competizione with ranges of 59, 109 and 143 miles 
