Eli Electric Vehicles is preparing to reveal a new version of its small electric microcar, and this one could expand its usefulness beyond the slow lane.
In an Instagram teaser ahead of EICMA in Milan, the company announced the upcoming Eli ZERO MX, describing it as a new L7e vehicle joining its lineup. Eli also teased a special Race Edition, with promotional art showing a dark, sporty-looking ZERO with red accents and a visibly open cockpit.
The trailer doesn’t give us much to go on in terms of concrete details, but the L7e designation is the biggest clue here.
The well-known European Eli ZERO that we tested a few years ago is a lightweight L6e quadricycle, with a top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). Its compact two-seat design makes it an attractive urban vehicle, although that speed limit limits its usefulness on faster roads. But L7e vehicles can typically travel at speeds up to 80-90 km/h (50-56 mph).
A faster version could make the small electric vehicle practical for many more trips. And there’s already a tantalizing hint: Eli’s Italian website lists an L7e ZERO capable of 85 km/h (53 mph), with a claimed range of up to 200 km (124 miles). The trailer doesn’t confirm whether those specs directly describe the upcoming ZERO MX.
If they do, that would suggest a much more versatile commuter while still preserving the small space that makes these vehicles so easy to park.
The Race Edition raises a different set of questions. The new vehicle could feature sportier design, such as racing seats and alternative doors. That could point toward a fun or more tuned vehicle, although we’ll have to wait to find out whether “Race” means additional performance or primarily a styling package.
It’s also unclear how closely related Race Edition and ZERO MX are. The title introduces them separately, while the artwork also points towards a second-generation ZERO.
Either way, a roughly 50 mph Eli would be an interesting proposition: still small enough to rethink how much vehicle a daily commute requires, but potentially fast enough to cover routes the original couldn’t handle comfortably.
Eli says the reveal will take place at EICMA, November 3-8, in Hall 22, Booth B40. We’ll be there to see what they reveal.
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