Europe is exploring the idea of building its own cheap, small cars as China continues to gain ground | Drive
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Smaller cars that do not need to meet the existing safety requirements could be Europe's answer to maintaining its automotive industry.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/48712513

Smaller vehicles that do not need to meet the same safety requirements as existing cars could be Europe’s answer to maintaining its automotive industry.

  • MrFloppy@feddit.orgEnglish
    5·
    4 days ago

    The EU restrictions imposed on L7e vehicles makes them practically unusable. L7e should be allowed to travel at least 100 km/h and carry four people, so that this vehicle category reaches the masses.

    • elucubra@sopuli.xyzEnglish
      7·
      4 days ago

      Not really. In Spain these are not allowed in highways, can be driven with a moped license, and are available in micro pickup and van versions, great for city deliveries, and such. If you want larger, more powerful microcars get a Smart, or Toyota IQ, or something similar. The L7e class exists for a reason, and it doesn’t preclude a new intermediate class (where I find the safety relax a fucking mistake. Vehicles should have as many safety features as neede and possible in respect to their usage parameters.

      • MrFloppy@feddit.orgEnglish
        3·
        4 days ago

        I thought only L6e (45 km/h) can be driven with a moped licence. L7e (80km/h) with moped licence is new to me.

        • elucubra@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          1·
          4 days ago

          Yeah, I may have meant L7e. I’m not an expert in these definitions, but my point is that there is a category of vehicles which pretty much allow for that. Maybe modify that catergory.

    • jenesaisquoi@feddit.orgEnglish
      4·
      4 days ago

      Please no. I don’t want seven 16 year olds illegally sardined into a shitbox going 92 km/h in the passing lane on the motorway

      • MrFloppy@feddit.orgEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        I wrote about L7e (actual 80/90km/h). 16 years old are in L6e (45km/h), aren’t they?

        • jenesaisquoi@feddit.orgEnglish
          3·
          3 days ago

          Right. My sentiment is the same though. Mixing cars with lunchboxes on high speed roads is a terrible idea.

          And if people won’t use their tin cans outside metro areas then there is no need for a can in the first place, because cities and cars are a shit combination. Cycling, walking, and public transport is the right thing. Look at how the Netherlands are doing it, they have it figured out. And it’s so, so nice to live there.