This is not what it looks like. Oh, sure, it’s awful close to the 1968-87 Citroën Méhari. I mean, it was built by folks who specialized in manufacturing parts for them, so that makes sense. But under the familiar plastic body lies a completely new EV chassis. This is not a conversion, nor is it a replica. It’s much better than that.
Méhari Loisirs Technologie (MLT) is a small company operating in southeastern France, far away from major industrial hubs, but right where Méharis make sense as a daily driver. Most of the classic flat-twin Méharis one sees in France are puttering about the sunnier parts of the country, after all. The design sort of warrants that.
But MLT understood something about the Méhari that Citroën obviously did not: air-cooled flat-twins are noisy, rather dirty and (somewhat) thirsty – a bit 20th Century, really – but the body, odd styling included, is what makes Méharis still so popular. Launched in late 2017, the E-Story was the perfect solution: a classic and extremely versatile shape with a (modest) electric motor.
When I state that Citroën did not understand this, I mean that quite literally. They launched the E-Méhari (above), based on the Bolloré Autolib, in 2016 and took an absolute bath with this second edition of their legendary vehicle. Citroën only built a few hundred per year until the model was put out of its misery three summers later. Meanwhile, MLT are able to sell their electric beach car at a much higher price than what Citroën wanted for one of their unloved windowless e-blobs, all because the cool/nostalgia factor was cranked up to 11.
The secret of the third Méhari was to stick as much as possible with the first. Glancing inside, the first thing that really looks off is the missing umbrella-handle gearchange. But otherwise, everything looks pretty much like the original. Oh, but then what’s the deal with the switches and why is there a smartphone instead of a tiny 2CV speedo?
The 21st Century modifications are more visible from this angle. The E-Story gets away with not having an airbag because it is a “quadricycle” for the French taxman. Its limited top speed (90 kph) means it cannot be used on highways, but drivers as young as 16 can take the wheel. The motor that drives the front wheels only provides 20hp (15kW), so this ain’t no Tesla, though MLT did go for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries like those used by the American EV giant. The modest autonomy (150km, or about 100 miles) belies the fact that a lot fewer batteries are used in the E-Story than in larger EVs. But then the car is fully recharged in only six hours via a standard home electrical socket.
The original Méhari was basically marketed as a one-size-fits-all, but MLT elected to create two variants to add to the standard four-seater: one is a strict two-seater with a flat rear to serve as a commercial light pickup (and thus subject to a lower purchase tax), and the other is the 2+1, which has an extra rear “door” for the rear passengers. Smart thinking.
With their ultra-niche product and quasi-artisanal production methods, MLT are sitting happy on a completely full order book and a bank account well into the black. But they are also adding an electrified 2CV (or 2EV? Geddit?) to their budding range.
One thing present-day EVs often lack is charisma and the cool factor. Nothing like a sixty-year-old design in curious orange to fix the charisma. And if you cannot be cool (and air-cooled) in a Méhari, there’s no hope for you.
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1974 Citroën Méhari – Plastic Frenchtastic, by T87
Curbside Classic: 1979 Citroën Méhari – Deep Dive In The Car-Pool Lane, by T87
CC Outtake: Greetings From Venice – Citroën Méhari, by PN
Let’s Celebrate The Citroën Méhari’s 45th Birthday With Some Vintage Publicity Shots, by PN
Cohort Outtake: Citroën Méhari – Minimalist Motoring, Or The Anti-1959 Cadillac, by PN
Curbside Outtake: 2016 Citroen E-Mehari – Looking Forward And Back?, by Roger Carr
Very neat and I’d have one. That’s saying something for someone who lives in an area where the climate is very much the opposite of the South of France. I wonder if the “2EV” will be as limited as the Méhari in terms of speed. If not, I’d imagine that they’ll sell even more of those. A closed top really adds to the overall practicality and possibility.
Nevertheless, it’s a sad realization to me that at least here in the US, something like this would be a non-starter really because of its inability to get out on the highways that we seem in nearly every part of the country to require to get from place to place. I could have something like this and it would take care of probably about 80% of my driving needs; but it’s that 20% that it couldn’t and that I never know when it will be necessary (i.e., to get out even for a relatively short distance on a highway where the flow of traffic averages about 25 – 30mph higher than the Méhari’s limited speed) which would make me think twice before buying a fun and reasonable vehicle like this.
But boy, I wish I could rationalize one of these.
It’s largely a matter of regulations. These “quadracycles” without almost any safety equipment except for seat belts are limited to 90 km/h (56 mph) in France. In the US, NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) are limited to 25 mph and can only be driven on streets with no more than a 35 mph limit. This would make a cute NEV, but they really are rather restricted in their functionality except for certain places, like large senior communities and such, where NEVs/golf carts are very popular.
So you really feel that this open-top vehicle would serve for 80% of your needs. In January, in your climate??
OK, so if I were to average my needs out over the year, I should maybe reduce my % to between 60 to 75%. I’d not drive this in the depths of winter (which thanks to climate change really only means part of January until maybe early March here in Southern-ish New England). But I could see using it in the Spring and Fall, and of course Summer.
I too see this as fitting into the NEV standard, which I basically associate with golf carts in retirement communities. But I also see it as being – given that it does go up to 55mph (and the local speed limit around here is technically 40mph except on multi-lane highways where it’s technically 55 but practically closer to 80) very practical for local roadway use.
But anyhow, I agree, this is not something that would be practical in any real-world driving environment pretty much anywhere in the US other than retirement communities or some place like Seaside, FL. Although, it really could be in a more perfect world.
All of the EV Mokes in stock at my local MokeAmerica dealer are used. The highest mileage one has accumulated 373 miles since 2021. Depreciation was over $20 a mile, assuming the dealer didn’t buy it back at a wholesale price at some point. Throw in insurance and electricity, and there are few less economical ways to get around the neighborhood.
What would make for a more perfect world for these expensive toys? The abolition of safety regulations? ‘Street legal’ golf karts are popular in my beach community. They cost as much as subcompacts would if they were still available, and they’re owned by people who have luxury fleets for their personal use. Would a more perfect world have no working-class people who own cars? They’re the troublemakers who often have only one car that they think can do everything they need it to.
But I also see it as being – given that it does go up to 55mph (and the local speed limit around here is technically 40mph except on multi-lane highways where it’s technically 55 but practically closer to 80) very practical for local roadway use.
Yeah, but if it were sold in the US, it would have to meet NEV standards which includes an electronically regulated top speed of 25 mph. And only legal to drive on roads with a 35 mph limit or less. That’s why I asked.
If you’re talking theoretically, as if the US standards were different, than that’s something different.
My question really was: since this would have to meet NEV standards in the US, is there something exceptionally compelling about it, as compared to another NEV? Given that it costs about $30k in Europe? So it would be worth it to buy a $30k 25mph EV to have along with your other car for when you need to go further, faster, more comfortably and warmer?
I see these for what they are: expensive toys for rich folks to use when they’re at the riviera or the country house or such.
Paul and Paulson make valid points .
In fact there are more than a few fancied up golf carts that look like Caddies, Hummers, Mustangs so on and so forth .
I’m guessing they’re made for wealthy retirees who can’t maintain a driver’s license but still want to poodle ’round town .
if you go to any area with a large contingent of old folks you’ll find them dusty with dead batteries and you can pick them up for $100 ~ $500 .
The batteries are NOT CHEAP but you _can_ do tis if you wish and on somewhat of a budget .
-Nate
how come we can’t have nice toys like this in the us of a?
oh wait… apparently, there is a “pre-order” myers manx ev!
https://meyersmanx.com/pages/manx-2-0-ev
The Manx website fails to point out that it is of course not street-legal, although they do say it has enough range to get you to your favorite trail head or beach. Hmm.
https://mokeamerica.com/
A couple of years ago, it wasn’t unusual to see a couple of electric Mokes a day in my beach community. The local dealer still updates their Facebook page, but I can’t remember the last time I saw one. They also sell golf-karts, which are still daily sightings here.
Neat .
The pictured 2-CV is the early AZ model with suicide doors ~ is this what they’re planning to sell as an EV ? .
Sometimes I miss my ’59 2-CV AZ .
Complete deathtraps but so much fun to drive .
-Nate
It’s going to be 100% new; a replica.
This is so cool. I could see them being a huge success in the right place like Hawaii but good luck keeping them off the interstates. The original skinny tires with three lug wheels are icing on the cake and a perfect fit for this type of EV. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m a fan of 60s pop art.