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

By Ronan Glon Published May 2, 2017

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.

Recommended Videos

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.

Former Contributor

Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…

Topics

Computing

Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers

Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Cars

Apple CarPlay Ultra looks stunning in Aston Martin supercar debut

Apple CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of the Cupertino, California-based firm's smartphone projection system for your car, and it's available in new vehicles in the US and Canada.

When we say "new cars", your options are very much limited to one brand... Aston Martin. So you'll need deep pockets if you want to experience CarPlay Ultra for yourself.

Cars

Archer’s flying taxis head to LA for the 2028 Olympics

archer air taxi la28 inglewood aerial a final

Remember the buzz about flying taxis zipping through Paris for the 2024 Olympics? That sci-fi fantasy never got off the ground —Germany’s Volocopter dream was denied certification, leaving fans staring at the same old ground traffic. But now, the skies are opening again for a second shot at glory—this time over Los Angeles.
Archer Aviation, the California-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) company, has been named the exclusive air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft, a piloted electric air taxi designed to carry four passengers, will be whisking around VIPs, fans, and stakeholders between venues and key locations like LAX, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and even Orange County. Think 10-20 minute flights that skip the infamous LA gridlock and land you right where the action is—on the roof, basically.
“We want to transform the way people get around Los Angeles and leave a legacy that shapes the future of transportation in America. There’s no better time to do that than during the LA28 Games,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer Aviation.
And Midnight isn’t just a pretty rotor. It’s a whisper-quiet, emission-light aircraft with 12 rotors and a redundant, airline-level safety design.
What’s more, Archer and LA28 are working together to electrify vertiport hubs around the city—think futuristic sky stations—to serve not only Games-time needs but also to plant seeds for a post-Olympic air mobility network.
The air mobility market has been fast developing over the past few years, featuring the likes of Hyundai partnership with China’s XPeng HT Aero and Toyota's backing of Joby Aviation, a U.S. venture. Joby bought Uber Elevate in 2020, hoping to someday pair its air taxis with Uber’s ride-hailing app.
Archer, for its part, has been busy building a strategic partnership with United Airlines, which has already placed orders for the aircraft and is helping with logistics to integrate air taxis into airport-to-downtown travel. More than a demo for the cameras, the LA28 partnership will showcase urban air travel for real-world daily use, starting with one of the most high-profile events on Earth.
After raising false hopes in Paris, the air taxi dream is aiming for liftoff in LA—and this time, it might just stick the landing.