Amsterdam's Tiny Electric Cars Are Not Just Golf Carts That Went To Design School - CleanTechnica

The article explores Amsterdam’s growing adoption of tiny electric vehicles (EVs) known as quadricycles, which occupy a unique regulatory niche between bicycles and cars in Europe. These micro EVs, often resembling small, enclosed golf carts or retro designs, are legally classified to operate under less stringent rules than full-sized cars. In the Netherlands, these vehicles—called brommobiels—are limited to 45 km/h, can be driven with a moped license, and are designed specifically for urban streets rather than bike paths. This classification enables lower costs, simpler licensing, and designs optimized for city mobility, including protection from weather, making them practical for errands in Amsterdam’s narrow streets. Historically, the quadricycle market was dominated by small internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, primarily French diesel-powered models from brands like Ligier, Microcar, and Aixam, which helped establish the viability of ultra-compact cars for urban use. A notable Dutch innovation is the Canta, a very