Microlino AG battles for equal treatment of light electric vehicles

Microlino AG has filed a complaint with the Swiss court against the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, as light electric vehicles like the Microlino are excluded from CO2 fleet regulations in Switzerland. The manufacturer laments this as systematic discrimination against M1-class electric vehicles.

microlino 001 — Image: Carmelo Farini / Visual Crew

The Swiss Federal Office of Energy does not classify light electric vehicles as full-fledged cars and therefore excludes models such as the two-seater electric cabin scooter Microlino from CO₂ emissions regulations – particularly the CO₂ fleet regulation. As a result, the Microlino is neither directly nor indirectly promoted, a situation Microlino AG criticises. Led by the Ouboter entrepreneur family, the company has filed a complaint against the Federal Office with the Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen.

Its demand is clear: “The contested ruling should be overturned, and electric vehicles of the Microlino type belonging to the complainant should be permitted to form emissions communities and be included in the calculation of the fleet average.” The 32-page document argues that “due to the ongoing systematic disadvantage compared to electric vehicles in the M1 class, such as the Dacia Spring, Fiat 500e, Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric, and Tesla, the Microlino has so far failed to achieve a market breakthrough.” This is despite the fact that electric vehicles of the Microlino type are comparable to other battery-electric passenger cars in terms of function and purpose and have the potential to “make a significant contribution to achieving transport-related climate goals.”

The complainants conclude: “While larger electric vehicles are indirectly promoted through the CO₂ fleet regulation and can thus be offered at more attractive or lower prices, vehicles like the Microlino remain excluded. This creates a significant competitive disadvantage to the detriment of the complainant.”

The L7e and L6e classes, to which the Microlino belongs, describe light electric vehicles in various power categories. The L7e class permits a rated power of 15 kW, a maximum weight of 450 kg (excluding the battery), and a top speed of up to 90 km/h. In the L6e class, the rated power drops to 6 kW, the maximum weight to 425 kg, and the top speed to 45 km/h. However, an AM driving licence is sufficient for L6e vehicles, while L7e vehicles require a regular B driving licence.

bilanz.ch, insideparadeplatz.ch (links in German)