Maybe a hybrid version would be better?
The Volkswagen Nils single seat urban electric vehicle follows in the wheels of Audi’s new urban plug-in concepts: small, light, technologically advanced plug-in vehicles.
Unfortunately, while these urban concepts make a ton of theoretical sense, they are still missing some key points.
Most notably, like the Audi concepts, the Nils only achieves about 40 miles of range. That’s just not enough, especially when all the exotic technologies and materials used in the Nils are certain to push the price quite high based on the size and range of these concepts. Such small vehicles need to have similarly sized prices, and much better range, otherwise there is no chance to move beyond the fringes of niches.
So, why not a hybrid version, or even a turbo-charged clean diesel? Both would relieve range anxiety and probably offer significantly cheaper costs until a battery breakthrough makes such EVs more cost-effective.
Basically, why not get serious about such commuting possibilities, now? Don’t make the concept dependent upon exotic materials and technologies. Start shaping consumer perspectives now.
Nevertheless, some time in the future, these concepts will resonate. Most interesting, they already offer great potential for car sharing, for instance, but not with only 40 miles or less range. That’s just too much anxiety.