Electric microcars (light and heavy quadricycles) are the urban alternative between a motorbike and a car: two seats, a roof, little space needed to park and minimal running costs. In recent months, Chinese brands have started arriving in Europe, type-approving their whole range as quadricycles to avoid the tariffs on electric passenger cars.
L6e or L7e: what is the difference?
| Light quadricycle (L6e) | Heavy quadricycle (L7e) | |
|---|---|---|
| Top speed | 45 km/h | Up to approx. 90 km/h |
| Typical use | City | City and inter-urban roads |
| Licence in Spain | AM (from age 15) | B1 (from age 16) or B |
| Indicative price | From around €6,000–9,500 | From around €10,000 |
Always check the current DGT (Spanish traffic authority) requirements for each category.
Chinese brands arriving in Europe
Bontu is the most prominent: a brand of the Shandong Bentu New Energy group (founded in 2020), with its whole range type-approved as L6e/L7e and prices from around €9,500. Its main models are the BTE05 (up to 222 km claimed range) and the BT09 (L6e and L7e versions, up to 150 km). In addition, many Chinese manufacturers sell quadricycles to European distributors through B2B platforms; for a private buyer, what matters is that there is a distributor in the EU that handles registration, warranty and spare parts.
Before buying a Chinese microcar
- European type approval (COC) as L6e or L7e: without it the vehicle cannot be registered.
- A distributor and workshop in your country: warranty, spare parts and servicing.
- Battery type: prefer lithium (LFP) over lead-acid; it lasts longer and weighs less.
- Real-world range: as with electric bikes, expect 30–40% less than claimed, especially in winter and with the heating on.
- Compulsory insurance and registration, as for any vehicle.
Microcar, electric motorbike or electric bike?
If you only get around town and do not need a roof, an electric motorbike or an electric bike costs much less. A microcar makes sense if you want protection from rain and cold, to carry a passenger or shopping, or if your 15–16-year-old needs a safe vehicle they can drive with an AM or B1 licence.
Information guide based on public information from manufacturers and the trade press (September 2026). NovoDix does not sell microcars; when there are stores with stock in the EU we will add them to the comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What licence do I need for an electric microcar?
For a light quadricycle (L6e, 45 km/h), an AM licence from age 15 is enough. For a heavy one (L7e), you need a B1 licence from age 16 or a B licence.
How much does a Chinese electric microcar cost?
Chinese brands arriving in Europe, such as Bontu, start at around €9,500. There are cheaper models on wholesale platforms, but without a European distributor.
What range does an electric microcar have?
Between 70 and 220 km claimed depending on the model and battery; in real-world use, expect 30–40% less.