Deliveries begin for £5995 Ark Zero all-electric quadricycle
UK start-up's electric two-seater has a 28mph top speed
Billed as "the UK's most affordable electric car", the Zero gets a 50-mile range and weighs just 489kg
British EV start-up Ark has started deliveries for the Zero - its first all-electric quadricycle, which is priced from £5995 and positioned to be "the UK's most affordable electric car".
The Ark Zero went on sale in June earlier this year and is still available to order from the firm’s website. The London-based firm told Autocar it has sold over 200 units since launch.
Weighing in at 489kg, the electric two-seater has a 28mph top speed, a 50.3-mile range and space for two adults and a dog. It uses a 3bhp motor powered by a lithium-ion battery.
Ark says the Zero’s body is made entirely of aluminium, citing greater energy absorption and dissipation over a conventional steel body in the event of an accident.
The firm says this improves occupant safety and allows for improved handling and manoeuvrability in cities, a more balanced weight distribution and corrosion resistance.
It measures 2500mm in length, 1202mm in width and 1625mm in height, making it shorter in length but taller than its closest rival, the Citroën Ami. It is available in one specification only, with customers able to choose between four different colours - red, black, white and grey.
As standard, it comes with a sunroof, reversing camera, LED lights, a central LCD infotainment screen and Bluetooth connectivity. It uses a standard Type 1 charger, which allows charge speeds of up to 7.4kW, with Type 2 chargers available using a converter. According to the firm, a full charge takes six to eight hours and costs "less than £1".
Orders are currently limited to the UK only. However, the firm plans to extend its operations further afield in the near future. Leasing is not available. Ark also has plans to launch an A-segment car in the near future and will offer autonomous ride-hailing services in London starting next year.
The Zero arrives among a spate of micro-EV launches as firms target younger city dwellers and the average price of a car in the UK spirals. As of January 2023, this price was £39,308. Fiat recently announced its second EV, the Toppolino, which is based on the Ami and is designed to “make young people fall in love with cars again”.
"At Ark Motors, we are committed to creating The Future of Urban Mobility that is smarter, smoother, and greener,” said Yilmaz Bora, Ark Motors CEO.
“By eliminating fossil fuel reliance and embracing electric vehicles like the ARK Zero, we can foster positive change in our communities and protect our planet for future generations."
A spokesperson from London-based Ark previously told Autocar: “Ark Zero is the most functional car ever built since the Ford Model T. Capitalism sold us over-engineered cars that we don't need over the last century. Thanks to Ark Zero, we can tackle a need in the market efficiently and affordably without giving any compromise.”