Ark Zero

London-based startup Ark has built an electric car worth $7,620. The new Ark Zero will join the microcar cohort represented by Citroen Ami, Fiat Topolino, Opel Rocks Electric and Renault Twizy. According to forecasts, this segment will develop actively in the coming years, so Ark plans to join this process.

Ark Zero is currently only available in the UK, but it may be coming to continental Europe in the future. In this case, his competitors will have a hard time. For example, the Citroen Ami costs $2,160 more.

The British quadricycle is equipped with a 3-horsepower electric motor, and its maximum speed is limited to 45 km/h. According to the manufacturer, the battery with a capacity of 80 Ah provides the Ark Zero with a range of 81 km. Charging time to 80% capacity is 6–8 hours.

The overall length of the mini-electric car is only 2500 mm, width – 1202 mm, height – 1625 mm. It’s 200 mm shorter and 460 mm narrower than the Smart ForTwo, which is most people’s definition of a tiny city car. More than modest dimensions allow Ark Zero to avoid the London traffic congestion charge, which will be an additional plus for many.

At the same time, it has a two-seater salon. The passenger’s seat is installed behind the driver’s seat, as in the Renault Twizy. But unlike the Twizy, it is equipped with full doors with glass. The curb weight of the British city car is 489 kg.

It looks rather clumsy and even a little strange when viewed from the front. There are four colors in the body palette: white, red, black and gray. There is only one package. It includes LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, a rearview camera and a digital infotainment screen (the diagonal is not streamed).