Forget big SUVs: we’ll all be driving microcars soon

LEV

Large (and small) SUVs are wildly popular, but according to the RAI Association, the future lies precisely with small vehicles. And they are not talking about city cars like the Fiat 500 or Volkswagen Up, but even smaller means of transportation: so-called “light electric vehicles” (LEVs). These include electric scooters, e-steps and small electric vehicles for goods transport.

Microrevolution

LEVs is a new category of vehicles, also called micromobility or microvehicles. They are advancing in major cities and we too are increasingly testing these types of vehicles, such as the Mobilize Duo and Bento. RAI Association expects the rise of LEVs to improve the accessibility and flow of inner cities.

A new twist on passenger and freight transportation

At Mobility Shift 2024, the RAI Association’s annual mobility event, the focus this year was full of LEVs. The rise of these vehicles is unstoppable, it seems. Consulting firm McKinsey even expects a global explosion of micro vehicles, with some 30 million units by 2030, an increase of six times. So that means plenty of opportunities for e-scooters, e-steps and e-motors. The Netherlands is also leading the way here: electric scooters are already here to stay, and once e-steps are officially allowed on the road, it will only get busier on bike paths.

Emission-free city delivery

Stricter environmental regulations are also making cities increasingly committed to zero-emission delivery. Around 2030, 30 to 40 cities in the Netherlands are expected to have zero-emission zones. For LEVs, this means full work, especially for those “last miles” to the final destination. Large trucks drop off goods at hubs on the city outskirts, after which LEVs take over to deliver packages and supplies around.

Time for clear rules

LEVs do still raise questions about their place on the road. Should they be on the bike lane, or still on the roadway? And what technical requirements apply? What about insurance, are license plates required, and which driver’s license is needed? In short, there are still a lot of questions. But one thing is certain: the microrevolution is coming.