Micro-Cars: A Cheap Thrill or Deadly Deception?
- by Christian Hensen
- 2 Min
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For a cool 100 euros a month, you could lease yourself a brand new car - or buy one for a paltry 10,000 euros. Sounds like a dream, especially for young adults who can hit the road with a Class AM license at 15, right? That's exactly what micro-cars like the Opel Rocks-e, the identically crafted Citroën Ami, or the Aixam Access are all about. And with only a moped license required, and no worries about road taxes, it seems like a no-brainer.
But wait a minute - there's always a catch, and these diminutive whips aren't any exception. Limited to 45 km/h by law, and with an electric range that makes them near useless for longer journeys, they might make for an intriguing city runabout.
Dekra Warns: Stay Away from Micro-Cars!
You guessed it - these micro-cars are not as safe as they seem. According to "Auto Motor Sport," the Dekra performed some alarming crash tests, commissioned by the TV show "auto mobil - das Vox Automagazin." The results? "Micro-cars like Ami and Rocks-e are killer-cars."
To simulate a city-style collision, two vehicles were crashed into a "deformable offset barrier" at full speed, i.e., 45 km/h, with around half of their front.
The specialists at "Auto Motor Sport" lay it out straight: "Micro-cars like Ami and Rocks-e are lethal."
The Deadly Toll on Micro-Car Drivers
First up was the Aixam Access, the best-selling vehicle in its class. At three meters long and tipping the scales at 425 kilograms, you'd figure it's got something going for it, right? Wrong.
The report states, "Although the passenger compartment of the Aixam remained largely undamaged in the crash, the loads inside were substantial. The steering wheel, which had no airbag, shifted towards the driver's seat and struck the dummy's head with full force."
The Small French Citroën Ami, despite not immediately showing the gruesome impact on passengers after a collision, is no better. The Ami's rigidity leaves it unable to absorb any kinetic energy, akin to a crumple zone in a larger vehicle. So, if you were to be driving in such a collision, it's not looking good for you.
The blame? "Extreme forces" that would have acted upon the neck vertebrae.
Manufacturers Turn a Blind Eye
The problem, according to "Auto Motor Sport," revolves around the relatively low requirements for light motor vehicles. The Ami and Access are classified as equivalent to motorcycles and S-Pedelecs. That means these pint-sized cars must meet the same safety regulations as their two-wheeled counterparts, which are, to put it mildly, not exactly stringent. essential safety features like ABS, airbags, or crash sensors aren't even required.
"Auto Motor Sport" asked the manufacturers about these findings. While Opel (a subsidiary of Stellantis) mostly prattled on about the advantages of their little runabout compared to other vehicles in its class, Aixam accepted the responsibility. They admitted that light four-wheeled motor vehicles of the L6e type were unable to keep safe pace with passenger cars due to their design, and many of the advanced safety technologies of more modern cars were "technically infeasible."
In a nutshell: micro-cars might offer an affordable, environmentally friendly solution to the classic car, but at what cost? It seems their lack of safety features, coupled with their diminutive stature, could make them a dangerous choice for the average driver.
- The community policy may need to address the safety concerns raised about micro-cars like the Opel Rocks-e and the Citroën Ami, as they have been labeled as 'killer-cars' following crash tests.
- The employment policy could be reviewed to determine if there should be mandatory training for micro-car drivers, considering the safeguards lacking in these vehicles.
- In the health-and-wellness sector, services could be offered to micro-car drivers to educate them about the potential risks associated with these vehicles, such as the impact on the neck vertebrae in a collision.
- Fitness-and-exercise programs might be promoted as an alternative for young adults who are attracted to micro-cars due to their affordability, as these vehicles may pose safety risks.
- In the realm of therapies-and-treatments, mental health services could be provided to those affected by collisions involving micro-cars, given the severe consequences these accidents can have.
- As for the lifestyle choices of individuals, it is likely that a shift towards more traditional, larger cars or public transportation may be advised, given the disadvantages associated with micro-cars, especially in terms of safety.
