The implementation of low emission zones (ZBE) in all cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants must be ready, by law, before the end of the year. Although at the moment only a few municipalities comply with the provisions of the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law, it is expected that this last quarter all of the 149 affected localities will have their ZBEs activated.
These areas have been created to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the most populated cities in Spain. This implies that the most polluting cars will not be able to circulate or will have significant restrictions on their mobility within these areas.
In this scenario, electric vehicles will become more important, if possible, as an ecological and sustainable alternative for urban mobility. Under this premise, electric microcars that can be driven without a license emerge as a particularly attractive alternative for those people who own a vehicle that does not meet emissions requirements and who, therefore, cannot circulate within the ZBE.
To drive an electric microcar it is not necessary to have a class B car license, but you do need to be in possession of the AM circulation permit, the moped license. The minimum age to obtain this license and, therefore, to drive a moped or quadricycle, which is the name given to microcars, is 15 years. It is necessary to pass a theoretical exam, a practical exam and some psychotechnical tests.
As for these quadricycles, they cannot exceed 45 km/h, their power is limited to 6 kW (8 HP) and their weight is below 350 kg (without batteries). They can carry a maximum of two people, the driver and another passenger. Likewise, they must be registered, have civil liability insurance and have the ITV up to date.
Given their characteristics, microcars are especially designed for urban travel in metropolitan areas. They have most of the advantages of two-wheeled vehicles and the safety and protection of four-wheeled models.
However, they also have some limitations that must be considered before deciding to purchase a vehicle with these characteristics.
Below, we echo these pros and cons of the electric microcar that RACE includes in its blog.
In principle, a quadricycle is not designed to travel long distances but rather to travel in an urban environment. Therefore, the autonomy offered by most of these vehicles is correct. The Citroën AMI and Opel Rocks-e, for example, can travel 75 km on a single charge, although the range of these vehicles is generally above 100 km. In the case of the Invicta DS2, it is 250 km.
The small dimensions of a quadricycle (generally 3.5 m long and 1.50 m wide) allow for easier and more efficient parking in tight spaces. Furthermore, since it is electric, there is no need to pay in a regulated parking area.
As it is an electric vehicle, it does not emit any polluting gases into the atmosphere.
Electric motors are simpler than internal combustion engines, so this is another advantage that a microcar provides.
Due to its small dimensions, it only has a maximum of two seats, which greatly limits the transportation of people.
A quadricycle also doesn’t have much space for cargo. The trunk capacity is usually 230 to 260 liters, that is, just enough space to carry a couple of suitcases and some backpacks.
As established by the regulations, these vehicles can only circulate on urban roads and conventional roads. When they do it through these last routes, they must do it on the shoulder. Given their speed limitations (45 km/h) they cannot travel on highways where the minimum speed is 60 km/h.
Although it is true that microcars are equipped with ABS, seat belts and airbags, being light vehicles (they cannot exceed 350 kg) they are vulnerable to impacts.
