Design of complete vehicles: Some references

In Europe, 98% of car journeys are daily journeys of less than 80 km. In this context, a small electric caris perfectly suited to everyday needs.

Why microcars?

Microcars offer significant advantages for urban, suburban and rural mobility. In areas where cars are the mainstay of daily life, microcars offer a low-cost solution with very low running costs. The market for microcars is growing rapidly and could reach 100 billion dollars a year by 2030 worldwide, with 30 to 40% of the volume in Europe (source: McKinsey).

• Lower costs: Less expensive to buy and maintain, they are ideal for restoring access to highly economical mobility in Europe’s less densely populated areas.
• Energy efficiency: Their lower energy consumption is particularly beneficial, with a considerably reduced impact over the entire life cycle of the vehicle. This is thanks in particular to their weight of less than 450kg (not including the battery) and their formidable efficiency, which means they can be fitted with small batteries.
• Short journeys: They are perfect for short, frequent journeys typical of suburban, and rural areas.
• Complementarity: They can be used as a complement to traditional cars for journeys that don’t require large vehicles.

SEGULA Technologies has therefore invested heavily in the development of mini-cars, focusing on the essentials. This segment is divided into two categories:

1. Light quadricycles: these can be driven from the age of 14 with an AM licence and have a maximum speed of 45 km/h. These vehicles, which are safer than scooters, are particularly popular with young urbanites.
2. Heavy quadricycles: Available from the age of 16 with a B1 licence, they can reach speeds of up to 90km/h & 4 seats. With the increasing electrification of the car fleet, these vehicles represent a practical, and environmentally friendly alternative for short journeys of less than 200 km in both rural and urban areas

For the past decade, The Group has been working in this field with the aim of:

• Making quadricycles lighter by adopting a frugal design.
• Offering innovative and disruptive solutions in terms of diversity of use.
• Offering a range of turnkey developments to manufacturers and numerous emerging start-ups.

Here are a few examples of outstanding projects:

• Renault Twizy : Launched in 2011, this car was one of the first urban ecomobility concepts. SEGULA Technologies was involved in the design of the tubular body frame, the thermoformed plastic outer body, and the side windows.
• AMI by Stellantis : Since its launch in 2020, this model has been a great success. SEGULA Technologies contributed to the development of the open-air version and to the design of the Topolino, the Fiat version of the Citroën AMI, launched in 2024.

What’s next? Focus on the ULP (Ultra Light Platform) project

The ULP project, launched by SEGULA Technologies, represents a major opportunity in the development of micro-cars and enables the creation of a true industry. The objective is to offer our clients, as well as new players, a robust and shared technical platform that ensures a positive economic equation for embarking on the micro-car venture.

This ultra-light, modular, and adaptable platform aims to provide an innovative solution for L6e and L7e vehicles. With a variable wheelbase ranging from 2.50 to 3.70 metres and a width of 1.5 metres, ULP allows for the integration of various powertrain architectures and battery capacities.

The 48V electrical architecture and the unique electronic system shared among all partners ensure maximum efficiency. Safety is ensured with a minimum 3-star EuroNCAP rating, ABS, and airbags asstandard.

SEGULA Technologies forecasts an annual production volume of 7,500 vehicles, in collaboration with industrial partners identified as potential co-leaders of the project.