The Squad Solar Electric City Car: Is it a Golf Cart or a Game Changer?
A Lot to Offer in Such a Small Package!
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Electric cars are becoming more affordable and accessible as the technology behind them advances. However, a significant barrier to entry for many potential buyers is the high price tag associated with most electric vehicles. Enter Squad Mobility, a Dutch startup that has just launched its solar electric city car for an astonishingly low price of $6,250. But is this new product just a glorified golf cart, or can it compete with more established electric vehicles?
The Squad solar electric city car is a cute and compact vehicle that looks like a cross between a golf cart and a smart car. It is powered by a swappable 1.6-kWh battery pack, with the option of holding four additional, giving the vehicle a total range of 100km or 62 miles. The batteries can be charged in about four hours using a standard outlet.
It also has a solar panel on the roof, providing an additional 14 miles of driving range per day under ideal conditions.
Safety is still the utmost concern with a front and rear crash structure, roll cage, and actual seat belts.
One of the major selling points of the Squad car is its price, which is significantly lower than that of most electric vehicles on the market. However, this low price comes with some trade-offs. The car has a basic design and lacks many standard features of more expensive electric vehicles, such as air conditioning and power windows. Heating is standard, but doors are options.
