Visiting the Eleksa CityBug’s first owner – On-road test drive

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Visiting the Eleksa CityBug’s first owner – On-road test drive

We visited the Eleksa CityBug's first owner in South Africa to find out how he likes the electric car.

 

[TheChamp]

My favourite pic of the R230k car.

 

[chrisc]

Very promising

I'm sure that a model with perhaps a bigger battery that could manage even 80km/hr would see sales take off. But the manufacturer would have done his homework

 

[BuckRogers]

My favourite pic of the R230k car.

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How much is a golf cart, cause it looks comparible.

 

[SNLV30]

My favourite pic of the R230k car.

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They should talk to this guy again after a rainy day.

 

[neoprema]

My favourite pic of the R230k car.

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The plugs on those harnesses could have been neater/sealed better or something.

 

[TheChamp]

How much is a golf cart, cause it looks comparible.

Exactly the chassis and drive train are straight from a golf cart, adding the body and electronics should not take it anywhere beyond R150k, and even that is being very accommodating.

 

[neoprema]

I really like the idea, and the principle of more electric cars in ZA. But I struggle to like this one. It just feels like its overpriced and I don't know how safe I'd feel in it either. Maybe its just me.

 

[Fred07]

I really like the idea, and the principle of more electric cars in ZA. But I struggle to like this one. It just feels like its overpriced and I don't know how safe I'd feel in it either. Maybe its just me.

It's safer than a bicycle or motorcycle. It's like a Mini Me version the Mini. Cute.

 

[TheChamp]

Is there anything standing in the way of conversions in terms of legislation? To me that looks like the most cost effective way of going about it, that golf cart axle can be a perfect fit for a Chev Spark with minimum modifications, plus you can keep the petrol engine, benefit from better safety while using very little fuel.

 

[FiestaST]

Looks a bit kaka hey.

Each their own I guess, different strokes for different folks.

 

[ronz91]

Is there anything standing in the way of conversions in terms of legislation? To me that looks like the most cost effective way of going about it, that golf cart axle can be a perfect fit for a Chev Spark with minimum modifications, plus you can keep the petrol engine, benefit from better safety while using very little fuel.

There's tons of electric conversions on YouTube. Someone this side needs to start the trend.

 

[TheChamp]

There's tons of electric conversions on YouTube. Someone this side needs to start the trend.

I was asking more in terms of legislation and the usual government red tape.

 

[ronz91]

I was asking more in terms of legislation and the usual government red tape.

No idea tbh, just use a car with a valid licence and keep renewing was my thoughts lol

 

[konfab]

It's safer than a bicycle or motorcycle. It's like a Mini Me version the Mini. Cute.

I would disagree there.

Motorbikes, even small cheap ones, are not effectively stationary hazards on the roads. They either drive at the same speed as the traffic or can drive in a place where they are not in the way. This "car" can barely get to 60 whilst still being a road block to anyone in the slow lane.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

The owner of the first road-legal CityBug in the country took delivery of his in the second week of December – and he has put just over 900km on it by now.



50 bux says he has been driving it non stop since December to get to this figure

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

now here's an interesting idea, since Lime scooters or Bird scooters are never gonna happen in SA.

Rent the things in a crowded affluent area like Margate or Sandton CBD or Plett

essentially operate a car sharing/rental service with these things, for "last mile" mobility,
its not a scooter to get run over by a minibus taxi, and its visible enough so an idiot U V can still see you.

 

[TheChamp]

now here's an interesting idea, since Lime scooters or Bird scooters are never gonna happen in SA.

Rent the things in a crowded affluent area like Margate or Sandton CBD or Plett

essentially operate a car sharing/rental service with these things, for "last mile" mobility,
its not a scooter to get run over by a minibus taxi, and its visible enough so an idiot U V can still see you.

But what problem would you be trying to solve with the last mile mobility?

 

[hj2k_x]

"As of late January, he even used it to take the kids to school and pick them up in the afternoon (yes, all three at the same time)."

The best one inside, second best strapped to the roof, least favourite dragged behind on a rope??

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

But what problem would you be trying to solve with the last mile mobility?

same problem plaguing all big cities,
train,bus ect takes you to X but your office is Y, and your lazy to use your BMW 2 series (walking)

so companies rented out electric scooters and E bikes, but they will never take off here,
as they'll all promptly get stolen by dudes simply taking all of them to scrap metal dealers to buy nyope.

so maybe this E car is the solution, its a bit too big to get stolen by a bunch of dudes picking it up and putting it on the back of a bakkie.