The E.Moke Is Coming To The US, Slowly

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What better car is there to convert to electricity than a Mini? OK, an older Miata or a Geo Metro, but those cars have already been done. How about the Mini Moke? Well, the E.Moke is coming to the US.

E.Moke

E.Moke Is Coming To A Neighborhood Near You

The Moke was the Mini’s answer to warmer-weather spots with no doors and barely a roof above. Sharing many parts with the original Mini, the Moke is based on the Mini Van and was designed for the British Motor Corporation (BMC) by Sir Alec Issigonis and John Sheppard.

Originally designed as the English version of the US Jeep for the military, this light military-would-be vehicle didn’t quite meet the stringent requirements. For one thing, it was too low to the ground and simply not as tough and rugged as a Jeep. But one thing it was great at was driving along the sunny French Riviera streets and islands around the globe. The Moke had a long career spanning 1964 to 1993, but unlike its Mini sibling, you can not get whole bodies to build one from the grounds up. You can order a Mini chassis and body, but not a Moke.

This is why the French company E.Moke decided to assemble electric Mokes made in China.

E.Moke

E-Moke Is Coming Via China And France

Although a new Moke is in the design stages with Moke International, the Nosmoke is another already here. Made in China, the electrified Moke is assembled in France where it is currently sold.

E.MokeTechnically, the Nosmoke e-Moke is really a neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) with a speed limited to 25 mph. The E.Moke provides 80 to 100 km (roughly 50 to 60+ miles of range). Depending on which battery option you squeeze in, gel lead acid or lithium, you can get as much as 90 miles.

The E.Moke has power steering, seatbelts, and rides on 14-inch alloy wheels. However, keep in mind that this size could complicate your choice of tires since not too many companies offer them anymore.

In case you’re wondering about colors, there is a choice of 8 colors ranging from basic red, blue, black, white, and cheerier/brighter colors. There is also a camouflage pattern for those of you who absolvement must have it. There is also a camouflage pattern for those of you who absolvement must have it.

E.Moke

Weighing In The E.Moke

The E.Moke weighs 398 kilograms (877 pounds) — not bad. A lead-acid Gel pack made up of 8×12 volt 120 Ah cells adds another 44 kg (almost 100 lbs). You can also opt for a lithium-ion pack rated at 11 kW/h, 3.7 volts, bringing it up another 80 kgs (roughly 200 lbs).

Pricewise (we can hear the comments pouring in on that one), at $15,975 (plus shipping), we can imagine we won’t see too many of them driving around in the US, where a LEAF, i-MiEV, and other entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) can come down to well below $20,000 these days. Sadly, there is still no federal tax credit in the US for NEVs.

As to the name Moke, it comes from an archaic dialect term for donkey. Delivery is estimated for May or June 2017.

There you go. Should you have some cash lying around and need a low-speed commuter for running errands, the E.Moke certainly fits the specs.


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Nicolas Zart

Nicolas was born and raised around classic cars of the 1920s, but it wasn't until he drove an AC Propulsion eBox and a Tesla Roadster that the light went on. Ever since he has produced green mobility content on various CleanTech outlets since 2007 and found his home on CleanTechnica. He grew up in an international environment and his communication passion led to cover electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, renewable energy, test drives, podcasts, shoot pictures, and film for various international outlets in print and online. Nicolas offers an in-depth look at the e-mobility world through interviews and the many contacts he has forged in those industries. His favorite taglines are: "There are more solutions than obstacles." and "Yesterday's Future Now"

Nicolas Zart has 572 posts and counting. See all posts by Nicolas Zart