City dwellers have become over-reliant on cars, and it doesn't help that many of these cars are over-engineered and larger than they need to be for city use. So, where a highway car is too much and a two-wheeler is not enough, Eli ZERO aims to hit all the right notes.
Eli ZERO is a micro-car, a micro-EV, or, depending on legislation, an LSV (low-speed vehicle), an electric quad, or an NEV (neighborhood electric vehicle). It's a two-seater electric vehicle designed specifically for city use on shorter trips and offers the advantage of a compact form factor, brisk acceleration, and no exhaust because of the electric drivetrain.
Of course, the idea of using smaller vehicles for the city commute, even vehicles that perfectly cover the gap between passenger cars and two-wheelers, isn't new. With more cities (in Europe, at least) implementing low-emission zones in a bid to improve air quality and help with congestion, a vehicle like the Eli ZERO simply makes sense.
The micro-car was introduced at the 2017 edition of CES, with the announcement including a mention of future markets: Europe and the U.S., in that specific order.
Photo: Eli Electric Vehicles
Eli Electric Vehicles had gotten its start just two years before that, through crowdfunding. CEO and founder Marcus Li had studied in New York and his residence here formed the basis of his future realization – later backed by studies – that most city dwellers used their personal car in the city for trips shorter than 10 miles (16 km) on the daily. So why not replace it altogether with something more convenient, greener, and more affordable?
That something is, of course, the Eli ZERO. The micro-EV has been on the market in Europe and the French Polynesia for a couple of years and, as of later this year, will start deliveries in North America as well. Starting with May 7, 2014 the pre-order books opened, with reservations being a fully-refundable $200.
Eli Electric Vehicles has an established network of dealers, and deliveries will take place through these. Further details will be unveiled soon, but the biggest takeaway with the U.S. launch is that the Eli ZERO has been upgraded for this particular market.
Photo: Eli Electric Vehicles
The Eli ZERO is offered in two variants, the ZERO and the ZERO Plus, but the U.S. is getting an upgrade over the basic package available in Europe. The most significant aspect is increased range and enhanced features like power-assisted steering (EPS), electronic parking brake (EPB), and anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Range has increased from 60 miles (100 km) to 90 miles (145 km), so there's a 12 kWh LFP battery pack powering the rear-wheel motor instead of an 8 kWh one. Charging can be done at a household outlet in as little as four hours for a full charge.
Maximum speed remains 25 mph (45 kph), heat and AC are still standard, as are the tiltable sunroof, the rearview parking camera and sensors, hydraulic power-assisted brakes, and MacPherson front strut suspension.
Photo: Eli Electric Vehicles
The ZERO can be optioned with an all-vegan leather interior over the standard fabric spec, and it gets keyless entry and start, electrically powered soft closing doors, Bluetooth and speakers, and regen braking. Optionally, you can get a Sony infotainment system with CarPlay and Android Auto, and LED highlights with running light effect.
The Eli ZERO is 4.5 feet (137 cm) wide and just 7.4 feet (225 cm) long, with the company saying it's 70% smaller than a standard sedan and 50% smaller than a Mini. Its compact size allows excellent maneuverability even in the most crowded or narrow streets, easy parking, and extra convenience because of both.
Even with its very compact size, the Eli ZERO can still seat two people in a side-by-side configuration – so there will be none of that tandem seating like you get in many micro-EVs.
Photo: Eli Electric Vehicles
Furthermore, you get a 5-cu-ft (160-liter) trunk that can fit two carry-ons, a week's worth of groceries, or a larger bag. The cabin is wrapped around in glazing almost entirely, mostly to keep occupants from getting too claustrophobic, but it's more car-like than in most micro-cars we've seen before.
Applicability for the Eli ZERO ranges from daily commutes to car sharing or resort/park grounds. It's a very cute, very compact, and decidedly more tech-packed option to a standard passenger car, with the bonus of being powered by electricity and, because of it, more sustainable.
The Eli ZERO has been designed to introduce a new way of experiencing urban mobility, to paraphrase Li himself. It might be a much slower way of experiencing that, but it's also more sustainable, more convenient, and more affordable. The Eli ZERO is coming to the U.S. with a starting price tag of $11,990, which, according to the company, makes it "one of the most compelling micro-EVs" out there.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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