Cheap, tiny electric cars are coming, and we’ll see the first ones on European roads very soon. Stellantis – the buffet of automotive car brands – has today confirmed it plans on releasing its first ‘E-Car’ in 2028. That’s just two years away.
As if answering your immediate question, Stellantis said: “The ‘E’ in ‘E-Car’ stands for European, Emotion, Electric and Environmental friendliness.” So, they should be… made in Europe, be fun to drive, be… electric, and efficient in production.
TopGear.com told you back in March that these new E-Cars will be restricted both in size and performance (making them cheaper), but will also do without the more expensive safety tech.
Carmakers will also be given so-called ‘super credits’, so for every electric tiddler it flogs, it can sell you 1.3 ICE cars. TopGear.com does not know what 1.3 ICE cars looks like – perhaps a Reliant with a tiny Reliant attached?
Anyway, the arrival of the E-Car is in response to, in Stellantis’ own words, “the unprecedented contraction of the small affordable car segment in Europe in recent years”. Won’t have escaped your attention that there are few small affordable cars available.
“Our customers are calling for a revival of small, stylish vehicles, proudly produced in Europe, which are also affordable and environmentally friendly,” said Stellantis boss Antonio Filosa. He noted that the cars will be built in Italy at the MegaCorp’s Pomigliano factory. That’s where Fiat builds the Panda.
As for Britain, the E-Car’s fate hasn’t yet been secured. To find out why, click here.