Microlino – the space-saving, electric city car
Swiss brand Micro is a pioneer when it comes to micro mobility solutions. Ever since its foundation in 1996 by Wim Ouboter, the company has been family-run. At the end of the 90s, Ouboter came up with the kick scooter to be used as a vehicle for the last mile. Then in 2015 the sons of Wim Ouboter, Oliver and Merlin started to develop the electric car Microlino intended for urban environments. Beginning of 2020 Micro presented its latest developments and innovations: the new generation of the e-scooter as well as two world premieres, the Microlino and the Microletta. While Microletta is the companies e-motorcycle, Microlino is a space-saving, electric city car. The company places high value on integrating its customers into the design process. That’s why they asked over 17.000 reservation holders to participate in an online survey in order to be able to create the best possible product. The company will continue to integrate the community in the development process for instance when choosing wheel rims or seat covers.
"It has always been important for us to be able to integrate the Microlino community as much as possible into the development process. With the Microlino 2.0 we want to do this much more consistently than ever before.” – Oliver Ouboter
Not only the vehicle structure in terms of quality, safety and handling has been edited, the company also worked on the interior. The Microlino offers space for two persons. You can now enjoy your drive even more as the seats received an upgrade being more comfortable and ergonomic. Besides you see all relevant information of the car on a digital display. As the Microlino is very compact in its dimensions, you will have no problems of finding a parking spot. You can also easily park the car across. It’s made for that. Another great aspect is, that you don’t need to worry about the range as the Microlino covers a range of up to 200 kilometers, which is absolutely sufficient when driving in the city. However if you are running out of range, within four hours you can easily charge the Microlino, like your smartphone at a normal household socket. So as you are driving fully electric, you take care of your environment as zero emission are being emitted. The Microlino starts at a price of 12.000 Euros. The production will begin in 2021.
Ex-Tesla Manager on Micro's Advisory Board
Mid of this year Jochen Rudat, former director of Tesla Central Europa joined the advisory board of Mirco. Within his ten years at Tesla, he helped to build up the company in Europe. By the way he was the first employee in Switzerland back in 2009. Now Jochen with his long-term experience in marketing and sales will support Mirco in rolling out the Microlino in 2021. We had a little chat with him about his motivation to join Micro and his opinion on how mobility will change in the next five years.
From left to right: Oliver Ouboter, Jochen Rudat, Merlin Ouboter
Previously you worked for Tesla for ten years. Now you are on the advisory board at Micro. How did that happen? What fascinates you about Microlino?
I know the founder family for a long time already as I lived 10 years in Switzerland. We always wanted to do something together and now since I decided to do my own thing it was finally possible. I love the design and incredible high level for details on the Microlino. Not everybody wants to buy a 50.000 Euro Tesla as a second car so we offer a great entrance for e-mobility for them.
How do you think will mobility already change in the next five years?
Everybody talks about electrification and autonomous driving and if you combine both it will lead us to Mobility as a Service. I am strongly convinced that in the not too distant future you will call your self-driving car for getting from A to B. Same time I believe that micro-mobility will see even further growth given the mindset change of cities where small vehicles like the Microlino, bikes and scooters will play a very important role.
Thanks Jochen for the short interview.
We are excited to see the Microlino on the streets.
Pictures: Microlino
Text and interview: Britta Reineke