US to launch Squad, first solar electric city car

December 9th, 2022

Awake Goy

A solar-powered car the the size of a golf cart will be coming to the United States. The work of Squad Mobility, a Dutch-based company founded in 2019, Squad will launch at the CES tech industry event in La Vegas next year.

Making it’s European debut as the “world’s first solar city car” in May, the two-seat electric vehicle will retail for $6,250.

“We are seeing a tremendous interest from the USA, specifically for markets such as sharing platforms, gated communities, campuses, (seaside) resorts, tourism, company terrains, hotels & resorts, amusement parks, and inner-city services,” Robert Hoevers, Squad Mobility co-founder, said.

Squad charges both via the sun and by battery. It can charge up to 19.2 miles via its rooftop solar panel and 62 miles via its four battery packs, EcoWatch reported. In the United State it will be classified as a “low-speed vehicle” because the fastest it can go is around 28 miles, according to electrek.

The company said Squad is “designed to withstand the wear and tear of heavy use, it is also “easy to access, operate and park.” Because of its classification, drivers of Squad don’t need a license to operate the electric vehicle in within most countries.

The company said its niche market is “cuty dweller looking to run errands without getting their groceries rained on, paying congestion charges or fighting for parking,” EcoWatch reported. Squad is approximately 6.6 feet long so three of the electric vehicles would fit into an average parking space. It also has ample room to store a laptop or tablet on the dashboard and the passenger seat, when folded down, becomes a storage space that will fit a baby stroller or golf bag, according to electrek.

“Squad offers an affordable, secure, quick and sustainable solution for your daily mobility needs,” the website said.

Squad will appear at CES from Jan. 5-8.