cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/48712513
Smaller vehicles that do not need to meet the same safety requirements as existing cars could be Europe’s answer to maintaining its automotive industry.
I mean less car dependency is what i really want but smaller cars are better than thes huge ass SUVs everyone and their parents is buying.
Smaller vehicles …
Europe has been producing such cars for a very long time.
But they have been growing ever bigger and ever more expensive. There are barely any European manufacturers who build a small, practical, and affordable car.
True. What we need are the likes of the fiat 500, 600, 127, Renault 4 (the 2 CV actually would fall in Microcar territory), and such, but with updated safety design and features. Under 100Km//h, not allowed on highways, size restrictions. A middle ground between automobiles, and microcars. The only compromise that shouldn’t be made is in safety.
You mean what used to be considered a normal sized car?
We already have them though, in those slow, but still expensive, quadricycles.
Currently, the only “new” class of cars I’m seeing on German streets is oversized American pickups…
But how else would accountants move their large excel tables to the customer and their office?
The EU restrictions imposed on L7e vehicles makes them practically unusable. L7e should be allowed to travel at least 100 km/h and carry four people, so that this vehicle category reaches the masses.
Not really. In Spain these are not allowed in highways, can be driven with a moped license, and are available in micro pickup and van versions, great for city deliveries, and such. If you want larger, more powerful microcars get a Smart, or Toyota IQ, or something similar. The L7e class exists for a reason, and it doesn’t preclude a new intermediate class (where I find the safety relax a fucking mistake. Vehicles should have as many safety features as neede and possible in respect to their usage parameters.
There actually is a great solution for small vehicles to transport one person and a bit of luggage in cities: cargo bikes and (e-)bikes with bike bags.
