► New Uniti One electric city car
► EV has more range than a Honda E
► Priced from £15k after EV grant
This dinky thing is the new Uniti One, a super-compact all-electric city runabout designed in Sweden and engineered in the UK.
Uniti says the new One city car is designed ‘as a response to today’s changing transport needs.’ Could this be the next G-Wiz but, you know… better?
Give me the tech specs
A choice of two battery densities – 12kWh or 24kWh – and one powertrain, with a permanent magnet motor making 67bhp and 63lb ft of torque. Mainly due to its size and minimalist use of materials, the Uniti One weighs just 600kg, according to its makers.
A 0-31mph sprint is completed in 4.1sec, while the more standardised 0-62mph run is complete in 9.9 seconds. A top speed of 75mph is claimed.
Uniti claims up to 93 or 186 miles of charge from the two battery packs, but those figures are yet to be officially ratified. If true, that would mean the bigger battery-sized One would have a larger theoretical range than a Honda E or Mini Electric.
All Uniti One cars have 50kW CCS fast(ish) charging capabilities, with Uniti saying a 24kWh battery can go from 20-80% charge in as little as 17 minutes on a fast charger.
Is that a central driving position, like the McLaren F1?
Good spot. Yes, the One is a three-seater with one central front seat and two in the rear. Even with three occupants, there’s 155 litres of boot space, or 760 with the rear seats folded down.
It’s rather simple inside, just like the exterior design, minimising cost but still looking clean in the process. Twin touchscreens flank the steering wheel and run a Google Android-based OS. You don’t get in with a key, but your smartphone and an app.
An electrochromatic panoramic glass roof is standard, which darkens by itself to block out unnecessary sunlight (and therefore, heat) to minimise strain on the air-con. All clever stuff.
When and how much?
A mid-2020 launch is planned for Sweden and the UK, with a price tag here starting at £18,600. Factor in the Government’s £3500 EV grant and that tumbles to £15,100.
Order one sharpish and you’ll be let into the Uniti Founders Club, which means you’ll get over-the-air software updates for your car free for life, plus ‘access to exclusive events, offers and services.’