Presented on the INPI stand among other striking innovations, Tiny is a micro electric vehicle made of wood, equipped with removable and portable batteries that can be recharged anywhere without the need for charging stations. We climbed aboard this made-in-France toy.
Wood, a lightweight, low-flammability material
It's a two-seater, rather narrow at 1.30 m wide, 1.85 m long and 1.45 m high, whose first eye-catching innovation is the main material it's made of: wood!
"We did some research, and what came out was that wood is one of the lightest materials, and far less flammable than plastic," insists its ingenious creator, François-Xavier Raudet.
But the Tiny's great originality lies under the hood, or more precisely behind the seats, where two removable batteries, weighing 3.5 kg each, can be recharged from a single socket anywhere.
Unlimited autonomy!
"Our preliminary studies have shown that one of the main obstacles to electric cars is the problem of recharging; not everyone has specific recharging equipment at home, or public charging stations, and some people want to be able to recharge their batteries from a single socket, anywhere - in their country house, at a friend's house..." explains Tiny's founder.
Up to 4 batteries and solar panels
Thanks to the use of wood and bio-sourced materials, this two-seater weighs no more than 250kg. This featherweight - barely more than an electric scooter - has enabled the installation of two small, removable and portable batteries, each weighing 3.5kg and rechargeable in three hours, giving a range of 30km. But the Tiny can also carry two additional removable batteries (optional) which extend its range by 15Km. Finally, solar panels - also optional - to be fixed to the roof enable the main batteries to be fully recharged in one day or eight hours, when the car is parked. How convenient!
Ecological innovation
With its low weight, small battery and bio-sourced materials, the Tiny is certainly an eco-friendly car, designed for use in the countryside, on vacation and in future Low Emission Zones. Its promoters claim that it avoids the production of 702kg of Co2 per year. Fuel savings are even more attractive in these inflationary times, averaging around €560 a year. According to its promoters, full recharging of the two main batteries costs just €0.28! So the Tiny is not only ecologically sound, but also practical over short distances.
A tribal car that can be driven by 14-year-olds and over
As an ultra-light car, its speed is limited to 45km/h, but it can be driven on any type of road or path, even on the beach, thanks to its four-wheel drive (prohibited on freeways and ring roads). Like its smaller competitors with internal combustion engines, it is therefore accessible to young drivers from the age of 14. Practical for everyday and local use, Tiny aims to become the family tribe's secondary car for a price just under €9,000. Behind the front seats, a space has been designed to accommodate two auxiliary batteries and three small suitcases. The presence of wood does not prevent technology from integrating this micro-car: it is connected and geolocated, which will reassure the parents of young drivers.
The Tiny is currently on pre-order on thetinycar.com, for €100. It will be available at the end of 2024 at a list price of €8990, and will be eligible for subsidies on the purchase of an electric vehicle.
