Swiss company Softcar has launched its new L7e electric car, a lightweight vehicle designed to accommodate four passengers. Weighing just 640 kilograms, including the battery, the L7e boasts a range of approximately 200 kilometers, with prices starting at €23,000.
The four-seat configuration is a notable innovation in the L7e class, which typically features only two-seater models, such as the Topolino cabin scooter and Nissan’s Silence Nanocar 04. Like other vehicles in this category, the Softcar L7e is limited to a maximum speed of 90 km/h.
The vehicle is powered by an electric motor that delivers 15 kW of continuous power and peaks at 30 kW. Its energy consumption is around 8 kWh per 100 kilometers, allowing the 15 kWh battery to achieve nearly 200 kilometers of range. Additionally, Softcar plans to introduce a gas-powered range extender, which could double the vehicle’s range to 400 kilometers.
The L7e is built on an autonomous ‘skateboard’ platform, designed for durability and flexibility, allowing for a recyclable and easily replaceable body. This innovative approach utilizes advanced low-carbon composite materials. Notably, the Softcar requires only 1,800 components, in contrast to the average 45,000 components in conventional cars.
Production is set to begin in 2025 at a ‘micro-factory,’ which contrasts with the large-scale gigafactories dominating the automotive industry. Softcar aims to produce 5,000 units annually and plans to achieve profitability with just 2,000 units sold.
Jean-Luc Thuliez, CEO and founder of Softcar, emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing key challenges in the automotive sector: weight, recyclability, safety, and affordability. “Innovation is at the heart of our DNA. At Softcar, we believe the automotive industry needs a complete rethinking,” he stated. The company’s eco-design philosophy prioritizes recyclable materials and decentralized manufacturing, contributing to reduced pollution and CO2 emissions while creating local jobs and supporting the circular economy.
In addition to the four-seater L7e with gullwing doors, Softcar has plans to develop a van, a convertible, and a two-seater version based on the same ‘skateboard’ chassis in the future.
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