Eli Electric Vehicles has begun taking reservations for its Zero flagship, a vehicle it says defines a new category of compact EVs that pack the technology typically found in more expensive automobiles in an affordable and practical micro-option. The crowdfunded micro-EV maker will enter the U.S. market with its street-legal micro-EV designed to make commutes easier “while reducing traffic congestion, inefficiency, and pollution caused by large highway vehicles.”

The Zero LSV (low-speed vehicle) bridges the gap between two- and four-wheeled vehicles, making for easy A-to-B travel with comfort while enabling significant savings. The company says it is suitable for applications such as urban commuting, vehicle sharing, tourism, last-mile delivery, and suburban community living.

“The U.S. is the largest micro-EV market, with an addressable market of over $120 billion, representing a significant opportunity for Eli to lead in this segment,” said Marcus Li, CEO and Founder of Eli Electric Vehicles. “Our goal is to transform urban trips, empowering riders to reconnect with their communities through compact and agile EVs that allow for a better utilization of urban space, reduced congestion, ease of parking, and ultimately an improved quality of life in cities.”

The company’s expansion into the U.S. follows a rollout in Europe and French Polynesia, where hundreds of vehicles have been sold for personal transportation, eco-tourism, and government fleets. A fleet of Zeros operated by Avis is available for tourist rentals on Bora Bora. The French Polynesian government has adopted it as part of its new eco-focused transportation fleet serving government representatives.

As 70% of the world is projected to live in cities by 2050, people are seeking a more compact and convenient way to travel locally. According to a recent McKinsey study, micro-EVs are the “next big thing” in urban mobility, with an estimated total global addressable market of $470 billion, or about 145 times its current market size, representing enormous growth potential.

In the U.S. according to Eli, roughly 75% of journeys are under 10 mi (16 km), citing Micromobility Industries, and with the average new car costing well over $48,000, according to Cox Automotive, the company believes that many of the vehicles on U.S. streets are unnecessarily costly and oversized for short daily trips.

At just 88.6 in (2250 mm) long, 54.3 in (1380 mm) wide, 64.4 in (1635 mm) tall on a 63-in (1600-mm) wheelbase, the Zero seats two people and has a trunk capacity of 5.65 ft³ (160 L). The car’s rear-engine, rear-drive powertrain has a rated power of 6 kW with Eco and Sport driving modes and a 25-mph (40-km/h) top speed.

Among the “premium automotive technology and features” are keyless entry and start, soft-closing doors, electric power-assisted steering, tiltable sunroof, heating and air conditioning, rear-view camera and radar parking sensors, and an optional Sony infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The forthcoming U.S. version will boast upgrades including an anti-lock braking system, an electronic parking brake, and an increased maximum range of up to 90 mi (145 km).

An LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery pack of 8 or 12 kW·h offers a range of up to 60 or 90 mi (96 or 145 km). Charging time with the 3.2-kW onboard charger at 220-240 V is about 2-4 h.

With the Zero, Eli is aiming to innovate micro-EV production by eliminating the need for labor-intensive on-site processes of the traditional auto industry such as stamping, welding, and painting. Thanks to a unique high-tensile aluminum structure and a composite exterior, the company claims to have dramatically reduced development and iteration costs, ultimately simplifying the production process. The sub-assembly parts, effectively managed by supply-chain partners, have been fine-tuned to minimize labor requirements on the 11-workstation assembly line.

The company says that the innovative approach ensures swift assembly, maintains high-quality standards, and enables rapid scalability. With streamlined operations and smart design, it can produce over 4000 units annually per assembly line. As demand grows, it expects the simplified and flexible production process to enable the potential establishment of assembly lines closer to international markets in the future.

Eli promises several new features, which it says will be first in the LSV industry, along with the final configurations and specifications, during a full launch later this year. U.S. customers can now reserve their Zero, at a starting price of $11,990, with a $200 fully refundable deposit. Sales are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024 and deliveries to follow. Plans call for selling through local distributors and dealer partners across the country.

Beyond the Zero, Eli’s vision to revolutionize urban transportation includes developing software for vehicle sharing, exploring drive-by-wire vehicle technology and wireless charging solutions, and accelerating its new Eli Energy business unit dedicated to solar-powered charging. Revealed in late 2023, the unit is projected to generate about $500,000 in revenue within its first year.

The company is also working on expanding into emerging markets by creating new micro-EV models tailored to specific transportation needs.