Hacker News Reader

Comment by flatiron | Hacker News Reader

I’m unsure why nobody releases a compact electric 4 seater car with a 60 mile range for running the kids to school and grabbing some random groceries. Basically a beefed up golf cart. That’s all I need to drop my kids off at school each day which is 95% of my weekday driving.

View on HN

Plenty of Moms moving around town with a few kiddos in the back of their long trail eBikes. They seem to fit two rugrats on those things.

long tail bikes fit 2-3 kids.

its easier when it's an E-bike. But they were geared for and used before the electric assist became popular.

Because people won't buy it. This is just like the "smaller iPhone" conversation. Even in Europe compacts are disappearing because everyone would rather buy 100% more car for 50% more money.

It's that simple.

EDIT: that said we now have the Dacia Spring which is approximately what you're asking for. Even that is on the chopping block two years after being introduced and selling like hotcakes.

https://www.gemcar.com/gem-e4/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neighborhood_Electric_Vehicle

[edit]

I should note that I couldn't find a route from my house to my workplace that is legal for such a vehicle (They can only drive where the posted speed-limit is under 35MPH in California)

You can't build a compact electric car with 4 seats that meets safety laws. As soon as it's classified as an automobile you're stepping into a new game. That's why existing solutions are essentially mopeds with 4 wheels.

Nissan leaf? BMW i3?

Fiat 500e, Smart Fourtwo (both discontinued in the US, sadly)

Like a nissan leaf? Or do you mean like a UTV?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com