More and more micro -calls on Polish roads. An alternative to cars will conquer the city?
Although in cities we see electric scooters or scooters more and more often, about three- and four-wheeled electric vehicles that take up less space than a car, and offer similar comfort and functionality, we still know surprisingly little. A group of companies and users is constantly growing, who show that transport independence can be obtained thanks to such well -designed electric vehicles. A conversation with Maciej Pękek, a co -founder of the Electoride brand, shows how this market is developing, and how this kind of solutions democratize transport.
– The biggest problem is that many people are not aware that such vehicles as ours exist at all- says Maciej Płatek, president and co-founder of Electoride, a Polish company, which has been producing light three and four-wheeled electric vehicles since 2017.
– Many drivers still think that the choice is only between a passenger car and a scooter or a bicycle. Meanwhile, the micromobility market already offers solutions tailored to various communication needs, and at the same time simpler, cheaper and available immediately – he adds.
From a family idea to the Polish leader
In an interview on the YouTube channel “Moments”, the president of Electoride Maciej Płatek says about where the idea to invest in electric vehicles came from: – In the family we had a uncle who needed support in independent movement. We were looking for a safe, but also a nice, small vehicle that would not associate with a wheelchair. There was nothing like that on the Polish market, and the models that we found abroad did not quite meet our and uncle expectations. The solution has come to the same – we must create such a vehicle.
Such were the beginnings of Electoride – a brand that today is the leader of the segment in Poland and is thriving on the European market.
Whole conversation:
Initially, the company focused on seniors and people with limited mobility – groups that most felt the lack of transport independence. In Poland, however, we still look at the wheelchair too often as a stigma, not a practical means of transport. This leads to a broader, socially important question: how to break shame, stereotypes and ignorance around micromobility for people with traffic limitations, without closing it only in this “drawer”?
– For many people it is simply a means of transport that allows them to leave the house, be among people and gain independence. Why should they be pointed out with this fingers? – asks Maciej Płatek. And he adds: – Our vehicles break this stereotype. Users are not ashamed of them – on the contrary, they are more likely to choose our models than a traditional stroller.
With time, however, the brand also began to respond to the needs of other groups.
– We didn’t want to lock ourselves in one category of users. Increasingly, we see students and working people who choose our electric vehicles as a daily means of transport. Because in the city it is simply a faster, cheaper and more convenient solution – says the petal.
Micro -jacket instead of a car
Contrary to some opinions, light electric vehicles are not a gadget or a “toy”. In everyday use, they become a real alternative to the car – especially on short distances.
– Just make an examination of conscience: how often do we drive a car alone and what routes do we really cover? Most often it is a few, several, maybe several dozen kilometers a day. For such distances, light electric vehicles work perfectly – explains the petal.
Price barrier? Smaller than you might think. In the conversation there were numbers that may surprise car drivers or owners of branded bicycles. The cheapest Electoride vehicles start from PLN 6,500. What’s more, funding when buying vehicles that facilitate moving for people with motor dysfunctions is up to 90%. In other words: the investment can be much lower than it seems, especially when families “drop” to help parents or grandparents.
Safety and simplicity
Safety is also not left to marketing. Of course, there are voices of criticism, which say about the lack of so -called crumple zone. Maciej Płatek, however, corresponds to a specific argument: – All our vehicles are built on a steel cage with additional reinforcements on the door, front, back, and in the event of a collision we have no problem with replacing damaged parts and the vehicle is still functional – he says.
The company provides a two -year warranty without a mileage limit and its own mobile service operating throughout Europe.
-In 90-95% of cases, we repair the fault at the client. The idea is not to deprive him of a means of transport, which he often uses on a daily basis – emphasizes the petal.
You also do not need special installations or charging stations. – We load all our vehicles from a regular 230 V home socket and we don’t have to change the electrical system at home specifically – he adds. This is not futuristics, it’s just everyday life.
Awareness and education – the key to change
So if everything seems simple and available – where is the problem? According to the petal, they are not aware that such vehicles as ours exist – he emphasizes. It sounds trivial, but he has real consequences: someone is “grounded” at home not because there is no technology for him, but because he does not know that she exists (or is ashamed to use it). And here – as the president of Electoride points out – the media, local governments, schools and senior organizations have the role to play. In conjuring up micromobility, as the city bike was conjured up before.
Stable growth despite the lack of market support
Maciej Płatek also does not hide the disappointment with the withdrawal of subsidies to the L2E and L6e category vehicles. – It was a shot in the knee for people interested in micromobility. If the state wants to support electromobility, it cannot forget about its most accessible and inclusion part – light vehicles that really give independence to everyone regardless of age or social status – he says.
Despite these difficulties, Electoride grows stable. -For several years we have been maintaining sales at 15-20% year-on-year-sums up the petal. And this increase measured not only in numbers, but also in user stories: about the first independent visit to friends, about “quick shopping” without asking someone for a ride, about work recovered thanks to mobility.
– We do not encourage anyone to leave the car – emphasizes Maciej Płatek. – We show the alternative. It is cool that today everyone can choose – whether they want to drive by car, a motorcycle or an electric micro -driving. And that this decision can be aware – he puts.
