Introduction:
This year witnessed the demise of various compact and budget-friendly electric vehicles (EVs), countering the prevailing trend of oversized and high-priced electric cars. Despite the preference for robust models like the Cybertruck, the industry’s shift towards sustainability demands attention to smaller, more energy-efficient options.
Downsides of Large EVs:
Larger EVs contribute to higher material and energy consumption during production, resulting in avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. While alternatives promoting compact designs and lower price points exist, many faced challenges, leading to their discontinuation.
Ill-Fated EVs:
- ElectraMeccanica Solo:
- Legally a motorcycle, the Solo aimed for city dwellers with a $18,500 price tag.
- Recalled in April due to power failure issues, leading to a shift towards four-wheeled vehicles.
- Honda e:
- Debuted in 2020 with a 100-mile range and $36,000-$43,000 price tag.
- Despite positive reviews, weak price-to-range ratio led to poor sales, prompting Honda to cease production in January 2024.
- Sono Sion:
- Initially priced at $25,000, Sono Sion aimed to integrate solar panels into EVs.
- Shifted focus to selling solar tech to third-party automakers, resulting in layoffs.
- GM, Honda Collaboration:
- Planned collaboration to co-develop small, affordable EVs aiming for sub-$30,000 prices.
- Abruptly canceled in October 2023, citing “extensive studies and analysis.”
- Mazda MX-30 (U.S.):
- Sold exclusively in California, with a limited 100-mile range.
- Discontinued in the U.S. in July 2023, continuing sales in Japan and the EU.
- Revel Mopeds:
- Revel, a moped-sharing business, switched from EV mopeds to electric cars due to declining ridership and safety concerns.
- VanMoof:
- Once a leading e-bike company, VanMoof faced financial challenges and declared bankruptcy.
- Acquired by Lavoie in August for “tens of millions,” but production and repairs remain paused.
Bright Spots:
Despite these setbacks, the electric mobility landscape sees positive developments. City bike-sharing programs, particularly electric bikes, are thriving, with records of high ridership in programs like D.C.’s Capitol Bikeshare and New York’s Citi Bike. Additionally, unique offerings like the three-wheeled Arcimoto and the Fiat 500e’s arrival in North America in 2024 provide hope for enthusiasts of small EVs. A startup called Telo Trucks is exploring the potential for compact trucks, and GM’s decision to retain the Bolt EUV offers a glimmer of optimism for smaller electric vehicles.
In conclusion, while 2023 may have been challenging for small EVs, the electric mobility landscape still holds promise for compact, efficient, and sustainable transportation options.
Source：techcrunch.com
