Skip to main content

Is this slow, beach-friendly electric car a worthy homage to a British icon?

e-Moke
Image used with permission by copyright holder
An enigmatic New York-based company named Moke America wants to make your summer ride an electric convertible. We’re not talking about a track-honed sports car or a luxury cruiser, though. The brand has announced plans to sell a replica of the original Mini Moke with a modern twist.

The e-Moke, as its name obviously implies, is powered by an eco-friendly battery-electric drivetrain. It’s classified as a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) by the United States government, and the specifications are mediocre at best — at least on paper.

The e-Moke’s main source of power is an electric motor that makes just 20 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque. To comply with LSV regulations, its top speed is strictly limited to 25 mph, and in some states it’s not allowed to drive on streets where the posted speed limit is higher than that. The original Moke certainly wasn’t a powerhouse, but the 21st-century version is as useful as a golf cart.

It takes anywhere between six to eight hours to fully charge the e-Moke’s 12-kWh battery pack. Its driving range varies between 40 and 90 miles, which is enough for a car that can barely exceed the speed limit in a school zone. At a steady 25 mph, covering 90 miles takes nearly four hours.

The brand’s promotional material points out the e-Moke is more modern than the original model in many ways. Notably, it offers occupants more leg room and an upgraded sound system, a boon for tailgate parties on the beach. The electric drivetrain also clears up additional trunk space, which wasn’t one of the carbureted Moke’s strongest selling points.

Buyers can choose one of six exterior colors, and they can work directly with Moke America to customize many aspects of the car during the production process. The company warns delivery can take up to 90 days, though it doesn’t specify where assembly takes place.

The e-Moke is on sale now with a base price of $15,975 before shipping costs and options are factored in, a figure that makes it about $1,000 more expensive than a base Fiat 500. Moke America expects deliveries will begin next month at the latest.

Editors' Recommendations

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more