Is Microlino the Future of Urban Mobility? Full Test Drive Review

A tiny electric vehicle called Microlino represents a new approach to urban mobility. Its extremely compact size raises an important question: can such a small vehicle handle the intense challenges of a major city commute? To test this idea, the Microlino was taken on a demanding journey through one of the busiest urban environments — London during the peak morning rush hour — covering a distance of roughly 60 miles.

Cold winter weather, heavy traffic, and long-distance travel created a difficult scenario for such a small electric vehicle. Under normal circumstances, most commuters would choose public transportation for this type of trip. However, this test aimed to determine whether a micro-sized electric vehicle like the Microlino could survive the realities of daily city commuting.

Technically, the Microlino is not classified as a conventional car. It belongs to a category known as an electric quadricycle. The cabin is designed for two occupants and focuses on simplicity, efficiency, and compact design rather than luxury or space.

Bubble cars of 1950's

The design is heavily inspired by the famous bubble cars of the 1950s, which were created to provide affordable personal transportation in post-war Europe. These vehicles offered people a practical alternative to scooters while remaining cheaper and simpler than traditional automobiles. The Microlino continues this philosophy by emphasizing minimalism and urban practicality.

Unlike the classic BMW bubble car that inspired it, the Microlino is produced by the Swiss company Micro, a brand widely known for manufacturing small electric scooters. The company shifted its focus toward compact electric vehicles as cities began searching for cleaner and more efficient mobility solutions.

The Microlino is available with three different lithium-ion battery options:

• 5.5 kWh battery – approximately 58 miles of range
• 10.5 kWh battery – slightly over 100 miles of range
• 15 kWh battery – up to about 140 miles of range under ideal conditions

The reviewed version uses the largest battery pack. However, electric vehicles typically lose efficiency in cold temperatures, which means real-world range can be significantly lower during winter conditions.

Power comes from a small electric motor producing around 17 horsepower, which may sound modest compared with standard cars. However, the Microlino weighs just over 600 kilograms, less than half the weight of many modern vehicles. The low weight combined with the instant torque of an electric motor makes it suitable for short urban trips.

The vehicle’s top speed is about 56 miles per hour, while the smallest battery version is limited to roughly 28 miles per hour. Because of this limitation, only the higher-spec versions are allowed to travel on highways.

Driving on a motorway with such a compact vehicle can feel intimidating. The Microlino must maintain its maximum speed while surrounded by larger and faster vehicles. On uphill sections, the limited power becomes noticeable as the vehicle struggles to maintain speed, causing other traffic to pass more quickly.

Continuous high-speed driving also increases energy consumption. After roughly 38 miles, the battery level dropped to nearly 50 per cent, indicating that the long journey could push the vehicle close to its limits.

Inside, the Microlino’s interior is minimal but functional. A simple digital display provides key information such as speed, remaining range, battery percentage, total mileage, and energy usage. A small touchscreen controls heating and ventilation settings, while entertainment is handled through a Bluetooth speaker connected to a smartphone.

One of the most distinctive features is the front-opening door, which functions similarly to a refrigerator door. This design is a direct homage to classic microcars and makes entering the vehicle easier in tight parking spaces.

As the journey continued, the battery level began dropping more rapidly. After traveling around 67 miles, a low-battery warning appeared on the display, indicating that the remaining energy was limited. With only a small reserve left, locating a charging station became necessary.

Charging introduced another challenge. The Microlino supports AC charging at about 2.3 kW, which is extremely slow compared with modern electric cars that can charge at 200 kW or more. As a result, a full recharge can take several hours.

After about an hour of charging, the battery level increased slightly, but the journey had to continue to avoid further delays.

As the route moved deeper into London’s urban streets, the Microlino began to show its strengths. Its compact size makes city driving easier and simplifies parking in crowded areas. However, it is still too wide to filter through traffic like a motorcycle, meaning it must sit in the same traffic jams as larger vehicles.

Despite these limitations, the Microlino offers some clear advantages. Its small battery means the cost of charging is extremely low. Under typical city driving conditions, the energy cost per mile can be remarkably cheap, making it an economical option for short daily commutes.

The final stage of the journey became increasingly tense as the battery level dropped dangerously low. The remaining energy was barely enough to reach the destination.

Eventually, the tiny electric vehicle managed to reach the destination just as the battery was nearly exhausted.

Vehicles like the Microlino can be excellent solutions for short urban travel, offering efficiency, low running costs, and compact practicality. However, long highway journeys push them far beyond their intended purpose.

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