This week’s announcement of a new £650 million electric car grant is a big step in the right direction. The idea is simple: to help more people switch to cleaner, greener transport by knocking up to £3,750 off the cost of a new electric car. That’s brilliant news for many families – and great to see real investment in tackling climate targets.
But here’s the bit we’re scratching our heads over at Micro:
Why have small electric vehicles like the Microlino been left out of the scheme entirely?
From Scooters to City Cars – The Micro Journey
We’ve spent the last 20 years making it easier for families to move differently. You’ve probably seen our Mini Micro or Maxi Micro scooters outside the school gates, in parks, or on the school run.
You might even have one parked in your hallway right now.
These little scooters changed more than playtime – they reshaped daily habits. Walking became faster. Journeys got more fun. Kids built confidence, balance, and independence along the way. Scooting became second nature.
And now, with the Microlino, we’re bringing that same energy to grown-up travel.
What Is the Microlino, Anyway?
The Microlino is a tiny, all-electric city car. It’s compact (about the size of a Smart car), stylish, and ideal for urban life.
Think of it as the middle ground between a scooter and a full-sized car – with space for shopping bags and a passenger, but none of the emissions, hassle, or parking stress.
Officially, it’s what’s called an L7 “quadricycle” – a lightweight electric vehicle that’s fully road-legal and can be driven on a standard UK licence.
Why Vehicles Like the Microlino Deserve Inclusion
The new government grant only supports standard electric cars. That means smaller, lighter vehicles like the Microlino aren’t eligible, even though they’re:
· Cheaper to buy and run
· Greener than many of the bigger EVs on the market
· More practical for short journeys, school runs, and city errands
· Designed with everyday families in mind
If you live in a town or city, chances are you don’t need a giant SUV to get to swimming lessons or pick up milk. You need something safe, simple, electric, and easy to park. That’s where L7s come in.
Small Vehicle, Big Impact
Here’s why we think these little electric cars are worth including in the grant:
-
They use less energy
Smaller means lighter, which means less power needed. That’s better for the environment from day one. -
They make more sense for short journeys
Perfect for school runs, commutes, gym trips – all the things petrol cars are clogging the roads for. -
They cost less
The Lino sits well under the £37,000 cap the government set for EV support – yet still gets £0 funding. A missed opportunity? -
They’re family-friendly
Easy to park. Simple to charge. Affordable to run. If you’re not ready to go car-free but don’t want a full-size EV, this is your middle ground.
So Why Are They Left Out?
Because they’re not technically classed as full-sized cars. They fall into a different category – L7 – and that category hasn’t been included in this new grant.
It’s a bit like offering discounts on electric ovens but ignoring microwaves, even though more people can afford the latter and use them every day.
What’s the Opportunity Here?
There’s a real chance here to give families another way in to electric travel – one that’s smaller, cheaper, and easier to manage than a full car. Including L7 vehicles in the grant could:
· Help more households make the switch to electric
· Cut emissions in built-up areas faster
· Reduce car traffic (and parking battles) outside schools
· Support UK-based innovation and clean transport jobs
Let’s put it another way:
A family that can’t afford a £35k Tesla could afford a £18k Microlino (or other L7 vehicle)
And with a small grant – say, £1,500 – that becomes even more accessible.
What We’d Love to See
This isn’t a complaint. It’s an invitation. A gentle nudge to say:
Let’s not overlook the vehicles that actually make sense for everyday life.
Here’s what would help:
· Include small electric vehicles like L7s in future rounds of EV support
· Recognise the energy savings of lightweight transport in grant criteria
· Back urban mobility solutions that take cars off the road – not just swap one big vehicle for another
From Scooters to Streets – This Is Micro’s Moment
We’ve always believed in better ways to move. First, it was with scooters in playgrounds. Now it’s electric city cars on real roads.
And while we celebrate the government’s new investment in EVs, we also believe the real revolution will be small.
· Let’s back the little guys.
· Let’s open the door to lighter, cleaner, everyday travel.
· And let’s not forget – real change often starts with something as simple as a scooter.
Find out more about the Microlino