Squad Solar: No Licence Required?
Squad Mobility is a Dutch start-up that created Squad Solar; a solar-powered car that charges itself with its solar-panelled roof. Squad describe it as “easy like a moped with the comfort and security of a car” – we’ll see about that when it comes to the UK!
It’s a compact car designed to meet L6 and L7 European regulations.
What are these regulations?
Category L6 is a vehicle with four wheels that weigh below 350kg, not including battery weight for electric vehicles, with a top speed of 45km/h (27mph)
Category L7 is a vehicle with four wheels, weighing no more than 400kg, not including battery weight for electric vehicles.
Find out more information about these regulations here.
The big takeaway from this is that you apparently don’t need a licence to drive them, how mad is that?
To meet these regulations, there are 2 planned models. Named fittingly, we have the L6 and the L7; The L6 is a 2-seater with a top speed of 27 mph, and the L7 is a 4-seater with a top speed of 43 mph. So they may not go too quickly but for your daily commute, they should get you there and back with no fuss.
Of course, the UK is a bit more strict on road rules so we probably will need a licence to drive them, but Europe has it pretty nice! Or not, depends who you ask!
Let’s get to the solar panels already!
As mentioned, Squad Solar has a solar-panelled roof that can charge the car up to 20km (12 miles). For a car with just 30 miles range, that’s pretty ideal! Especially considering that most commutes are less than 10 miles, 25% of journeys in the UK are under 1 mile, and 71% are under 5 miles! You can pretty much get to work and back, head into town, or go to big Asda freely and sustainably – a win is a win!
You can also charge the batteries separately from a normal socket.
How does it look?
If we’re being honest, it has elements of a golf cart, the Pope mobile, and a mobility scooter all in one, so it’s definitely got character; that’s more than you can say about a lot of the new electric cars coming out recently! It’s also very small, 2 metres long, so small that you can park the wrong way in a parking bay…
We’ll have to write a piece on the quirky electric cars we’ve seen over the years, we can see which one reigns supreme, of the ones that are still standing. RIP Twizy. Keep your eyes peeled for that!
Comes with heating as standard, doors and air-con are options? With portable and swappable batteries
It’s so small, is there any storage at all?
Yes, it certainly is small! With a width of 1.2 metres, a height of 1.6 metres, and a length of 2 metres, you can park sideways in a parking space! It’s ridiculous and hilarious but we’re obsessed with this little clown car. It has a turning circle of just 6 metres, so there’s no need for 3-point turns in this bad boy!
Back to storage, there is a large storage area in the back of the car which can be increased by folding the passenger seat in a horizontal position. The Future L7 version can also seat small children in the back.
Roundup
The Squad Solar starts from £6,000 – now that’s an affordable electric car. It’s zero emissions, self-sustaining, quiet, easy to park, and cheap! What more do you want?
If you want to go electric with a more realistic car, take a look at our electric revolution guide here. If you want to get the scheme put in place, check out the guide below.
Tags : car, charge, electric, Range, solar-panelled, solar-power, squad solar