Squad Solar
| Squad | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Squad Mobility |
| Production | Start 2024 in Europe |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Neighborhood electric vehicle Microcar Quadricycle (EU vehicle classification) |
| Body style | 2-door |
| Doors | Removable |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | Two 2 kW rear motors[1] |
| Battery | Four 1.6 kWh swappable battery packs for a total of 6.4 kWh lithium-ion battery[2] |
| Electric range | 50 km (31 mi) to 100 km (62 mi) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 2 m (6.6 ft) |
| Width | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) |
| Height | 1.6 m (5.2 ft) |
| Curb weight | 600 lb (272 kg)[3] |
The Squad Solar is a compact electric vehicle designed for urban use, classified as a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV). It features a rooftop solar panel that supplements battery charging, and can also be recharged via a standard electrical outlet. The vehicle is manufactured by Squad Mobility BV based in the Netherlands which was founded by Robert Hoevers and Chris Klok that previously worked at Lightyear.[4] It is set to start production for the EU market in 2025, and sales in the US starting in 2025.[5][6]
The solar roof can add up to 21–30 kilometers (13–19 miles) per day of range. The manufacturer is creating an L6 and L7 version in Europe that goes 45 km/h (28 mph) and 70 km/h (43 mph). The efficiency is up to 19 kilometers (12 miles) per kWh, making it more than 3 times as efficient as the Tesla cars available in 2023.[1] The price starts at €6,250 Euros and charges extra for removable doors, air conditioning, heating and added batteries.[7] In the L6 version only a moped licence is needed to operate and is popular among teens because the age to drive a regular car in Europe is 18 years old.[8]
We are seeing a tremendous interest from the USA, specifically for markets such as sharing platforms, gated communities, campuses, (seaside) resorts, tourism, company terrains, hotels & resorts, amusement parks, and inner-city services.[9]
— Squad co-founder Robert Hoevers[10]
Gallery
[edit]-
Front side view -
Side view, removable doors -
Back left view, with closer view of the solar panel -
Rear view, no hatchback, storage behind seats, passenger seat folds down for additional storage
See also
[edit]- Side-by-side (vehicle)
- Electric rickshaw
- Electric trike
- List of prototype solar-powered cars
- Low-speed vehicle
- Retirement community
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dnistran, Iulian. "Squad Solar EV Video Review Underlines Its Low Price, Swappable Batteries". Motorsport Network. Inside EVs.
- ^ Edelstein, Stephen (11 December 2022). "$6,250 Squad solar EV coming to US\u2014wherever 25 mph is enough". Green Car Reports.
- ^ "Solar Car, City Car". Squad Mobility BV.
- ^ Lambert, Fred. "Squad solar electric city car is coming to the US for $6,250". Electrek.
- ^ "Solar Car City Car for daily Urban Mobility". Squad Solar Car.
- ^ Clements, Jennifer (February 12, 2024). "Squad Solar Buggy introduced at CES 2024".
- ^ Bellan, Rebecca. "Squad Mobility eyes shared platforms as target for its compact solar electric quadricycle". TechCrunch.
- ^ Levin, Tim. "This $6,500, solar-powered electric car is coming to Europe in 2023 — see the Squad". Business Insider.
- ^ Stern, Perry. "Squad Solar-Powered City Car Coming to America". US News.
- ^ Fogden, Tom. "A New Dawn? — Squad Mobility CEO Robert Hoevers on Solar-Powered Cars". Auto Futures TV.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Vehicle Review – automotive review of the vehicle (Fully Charged, full episode)