NEED FOR SWEDE
BRITS could be among the first to drive a new Swedish electric car which comes in flatpack form and has been dubbed the IKEA motor.
Technology firm Luvly designed the Luvly O model to be a run-around city vehicle and could be seen on our streets by the end of the year.
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It comes with two portable batteries that do not need car chargers and could be topped up from your desk at work.
The car will be the first of its kind but unlike the flatpack IKEA furniture, it will be sent to factories around the world, rather than you front door.
Håkan Lutz, chief executive and founder of Luvly, told The Telegraph: “If it were legally and technologically possible to assemble in your house, we would think that would be a good thing, but sadly on both of those counts, it is not.”
The little two-seater car will have a top speed of 55mph and a distance range of 62 miles and retail at £8,700.
It won’t need a petrol station or an electric hub, with the removable batteries being able to be charged either at home or at work.
Even though its small and lacks an engine, its creators say it has several similarities with Formula One cars – with energy absorbers around the chassis similar to those used on racing cars to ensure maximum safety.
Mr Lutz told the paper: “I think these would suit the UK absolutely perfectly. The bigger the city, the more sense one of these cars makes.
“The plan is to get started as soon as possible, but you know development of new technology always takes a bit more time than you wish for, we are hopeful to have some cars on the roads this year.”
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While you might see the odd one or two of these vehicles driving about the street this year, the Swedish company said that a mass rollout would not happen for another few years.
The LUVs are shipped flatpack for assembly in microfactories near to end-users.
This greatly reduces costs and the impact on the environment.
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