The New ACM City One Is A Battery-Swappable EV

Magna International, a worldwide automotive components producer, has agreed to help a German start-up construct a miniature, electric microcar that it wants to mass-market for a low price. The City One has been in development for the past eight years by Munich-based Adaptive City Mobility (ACM), which claims it will include a replaceable battery and seating for up to five passengers.

Prices are expected to range from €10,000 to €15,000. The fleet industry is likely to account for the majority of sales, with taxi and leasing businesses in Asia and Africa being key markets. The City One includes a cargo bay that can hold up to 1450 liters and could be used as a small company truck.

The City One, according to ACM, will propose an alternative to the lack of fast charging facilities by combining home recharging and swappable batteries with range-extending features. Magna, the world's largest parts manufacturer, is now working on a production version, with test vehicles expected to be manufactured in Asia in 2024.

ACM, which was founded in 2014, claims to have signed papers of intention for the sale of 208,000 cars for more than €3 billion. At the IAA Mobility show in Munich in September, a series car of the ACM City One will be unveiled to the public.