this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2024
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Fuck Cars

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347
Urban Microcars (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
153 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Society's got priorities wrong.

  • most car travels are 1 person or sometimes 2 person

  • the majority of car travels are quite short, less than 40km.

  • many car travels are just to get some groceries or drop of a little package or just say "hi" to someone, carrying nothing but themselves.

  • cars are fucking expensive, to buy and to maintain

  • accidents become way worse with heavier vehicles

Microcar is a valid answer to all of these, while still being sheltered from weather.

How are urban places (i'm in Belgium) with almost permanent super heavy road traffic congestion, bad climate statistics, high polution values, very limited available space left, no self-sustaining energy production and high traffic accident statistics still pooring in billions and billions in subsidies year after year into "regular" big heavy SUV-like vehicles instead of these? It's beyond my comprehension. The only real valid reason i somewhat get is the collective scare of being in a crash and not wanting to be in the smaller vehicle. We could save the climate, we choose not to.

  • MICROLINO: 17.990 €
  • OPEL ROCKS: 8.699 €
  • CITROEN AMI: 7.790 €
  • RENAULT TWIZY: 13.000 €
  • FIAT TOPOLINO: 9.890 €

A lot of people here casually spend more on a sunday racing bike every few years for fucks sake.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago (2 children)

I'm not really fond of microcars. Every time I see one I'm like: "Just buy a bike it's cheaper and it doesn't look like a motorized dumpster!". Not to mention that to drive one in France you don't even need a driving license. Talk about a security hazard... My thinking is they're a lot pricier than great top of the line E-bikes (hydraulic breaks and the whole shebang), you can carry as much as a cargo bike and for the rain, a waterproof coat and pants work just fine (tropical regions get a pass I guess).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

First of all it's tiny and limited to 45km/h which is the top speed of an e-bike in the states. I don't want to be hit by a microcar, but I'd hate to get hit by a loaded class 3 cargo bike either. And I'd far rather either of those than some obnoxious dually equipped pickup truck.

Second of all, some people don't want to be out biking in inclement weather..... Or even at all. And that's OK.

Small light electric vehicles like ebikes or electric microcars are a great way to supplement gaps in good public transit and walkable cities. On top of that, unlike full size electric cars which reinforce car dependence, these types of vehicles encourage small, slow streets for cars in urban areas, mixed with bike, walking, and public transit infrastructure.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

You're right, these are very good arguments. I'm just too biased towards bikes, so I become overly critical of microcars. The two are complementary modes of transport, for sure. Still, a compulsory driving license for microcars should be standard around the world.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

They do have a license requirement, it's just not a full drivers license. At least for anyone born after 1987. Before that, these vehicles were meant to save rural widows from starvation so they really had no requirement except for insurance. Here is more info!

https://www.connexionfrance.com/practical/explainer-what-are-the-rules-on-licence-free-cars-in-france/267381

I know what you mean though, anything that looks like a car based solution always looks like a trap to encourage more car dependence.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (3 children)

Why would you only put expensive European brands here? There are Chinese cars like this for 5000€ that have sold millions in China.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Maybe since they are from Belgium and Chinese EVs currently play no role in the larger European market? There are maybe 10 vendors importing Zhidou cars in all of Germany, for example. Even if a buyer is aware of Chinese brands, they're not as readily available as domestic / European brands, with Chinese products also still fighting with their perceived quality.

Why not improve your comment and simply post some of these brands, along with sources on where to get them?

I moved to Germany a while ago, so here is my contribution:

https://greenspeed-online.de/produkt-kategorie/elektrofahrzeuge/

https://www.ari-motors.com/

https://myxev.de/neufahrzeuge/yoyo/

https://www.elaris.eu/

[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

My point is just bringing awareness to the existence of cheaper alternatives to the same product. Thank you for your contribution of places where people can actually get these cars! And yeah, the prejudice against Chinese electric cars is outdated at this point, they're as good as European ones for a fraction of the cost.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Are Chinese vehicles up to European safety standards? Could you share the characteristics of the vehicles you are referring to?

Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) is an independent organization that evaluates the safety of new cars in Europe. Here are some key aspects of the vehicles they assess:

  1. Crashworthiness:

    • Frontal Impact: Assesses protection for occupants in a head-on collision.
    • Side Impact: Evaluates protection in a side collision.
    • Pole Impact: Tests the car’s safety when it crashes into a rigid pole.

  2. Safety Assist Technologies:

    • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): Tests the vehicle’s ability to automatically brake to prevent or mitigate a collision.
    • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA): Evaluates systems that help keep the vehicle in its lane.
    • Speed Assistance: Assesses systems that help drivers comply with speed limits.

  3. Pedestrian and Vulnerable Road User Protection:

    • Evaluates how well the car protects pedestrians in case of an impact.
    • Tests include pedestrian head, pelvis, and leg impacts.

  4. Rescue and Extrication:

    • Examines how easily occupants can be rescued after a crash.
    • Assesses availability of information for emergency services.

  5. Child Occupant Protection:

    • Tests the safety features for child passengers.
    • Uses child dummies in various seating positions to evaluate protection.

  6. Driver and Passenger Protection:

    • Evaluates protection levels for both the driver and adult passengers.
    • Includes assessment of airbags, seat belts, and overall structural integrity.

  7. Post-Crash Safety:

    • Assesses features that assist after a crash, such as eCall systems that automatically alert emergency services.

These characteristics highlight the comprehensive approach Euro NCAP takes to evaluate the safety of vehicles sold in Europe.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

He is in Europe. The cheap Chinese cars are likely not available or road legal.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 5 months ago

Ah, the eternal dream of hew "pod".

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