The LEVA-EU member is expanding its network in the region to support sales of its S04 electric microcar. Specifically, it is looking for partners specialised in urban mobility and microcars.
Silence’s S04 is a 100% light electric vehicle that has been designed for the city with competitive pricing.
Innovated by a brand that’s fully focused on delivering light electric transportation solutions, the S04 is a compact mobility solution created to meet the rapidly evolving market for customers needing smarter city transportation.
It is well equipped to meet new demands of urban mobility, offering great range, enhanced comfort, air conditioning, and electric windows.
Silence is looking for partners to drive its transition and grow with a differentiated e-mobility offering.
The LEVA-EU member’s French subsidiary attended the event in Paris, which focuses on supporting the implementation of low-carbon mobility, where it had the opportunity to meet France’s Minister of Transport.
At the Drive to Zero event, Microlino France proudly showcased the Microlino which demonstrates electric micro-vehicles as an accessible and sustainable solution for environmental, economic and urban challenges.
Microlino France’s Yannick Boulch was honoured to be welcomed onto the Mobilians stand, where he met the Minister of Transport for France, Philippe Tabarot.
Boulch thanked the Minister and his team for their attentiveness and the quality of discussions which they were able to have on tomorrow’s mobility challenges such as the future of the electric microcar sector, and the study of CEE documents assigned to L6e and L7e electric quadricycles.
Boulch has highlighted various issues for the microcar sector which need to be addressed:
Restoring the imbalance between different electric vehicle categories, by enabling the L6e and L7e quadricycles to receive benefits from the same EEC aid schemes as category M vehicles.
Avoiding distortions of competition that currently penalise the lightest and most energy-efficient vehicles.
Accelerating mobility decarbonisation with vehicles requiring fewer raw materials, and less energy for production and usage.
Improving how individuals, businesses and communities can access sustainable and practical urban mobility solutions, like microcars, which can be used daily and tackle the constraints of urban centres.
Microlino France welcomes new distribution partner
The brand recently announced its partnership with Automobiles Miguel Munoz. Based in the French city of Clermont-Ferrand, the company will offer test driving, vehicle configuration, order and local after-sales support.
Eindhoven University of Technology’s survey of 1,000 employed adults has revealed that when new job or relocation opportunities arise, more potential opens up for evaluating and switching commuting travel modes to LEVs such as e-bikes and e-scooters, especially for short distances.
Researcher Valeria Caiati from Eindhoven University of Technology (TUE) said that reconsideration of commuting options can be influenced by lifestyle changes of relocation or a new job.
“People hold very tightly to their habits, as our research shows. Moving or starting a new job disrupts the routine. That makes it a good time to interest people in alternative travel habits.”
Surveyed Dutch adults were asked about how they would commute to work from two potential scenarios:
If they retained their current home and job
Or if they relocated and changed employment
The options listed for both scenarios are: car, public transportation, walking, bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter, or an electric micro-car.
Respondents were also asked if they would consider buying a light electric vehicle (LEV), such as an e-bike or a microcar, and how much they would be prepared to pay for it.
A new routine can encourage change in travel habits
The study emphasises that people stick to their travel habits unless there’s an opportunity to change, such as a relocation or a job offer, which impacts commuting routines, with travel time and distance being the most influential factors in evaluating transport mode preferences.
For short distances, Walking, cycling, e-bikes, and e-scooters are favoured more.
For medium distances, the car is the preferred commuting option.
For longer distances, commuters prefer to take the train.
Two- vs four-wheelers
Transport modes with two wheels, such as electric bikes and scooters, are viewed as relatively popular. From the survey responses, the researchers concluded that they are often viewed as an improved version of the standard non-electric bicycle in the Netherlands, with respondents willing to pay approximately €1,000-2,000.
Meanwhile, there was found to be more hesitance to four-wheeled vehicles such as the microcar, with respondents being more reluctant to buy one, with them viewing it more as a small car, than as a comfortable e-bike. For those purchasing a microcar, they accept its highly perceived price, which typically costs €10,000.
Policy timing
The survey reveals this as a key factor, implying that municipalities could inform new residents about various transportation options to increase awareness about available commuting options in the area.
Caiaiti explains: “Municipalities could send new residents a welcome package containing information on available local travel options and which option is most suitable for each commute. Employers could also play a role in this.”
Parking and commuting
The study implies that the impact of paid parking can present opportunities for residents if municipalities and politicians communicate the benefits of giving up their parking spaces, such as initiatives that would help them live an easier and healthier lifestyle, for example.
Caiati emphasises: ‘If you connect parking with, for example, more greenery, healthy living, and safe bike paths, more understanding and support will be generated. In co-creation with residents, it can then be examined which alternative modes of transport are attractive. Small pilots could be part of this. This makes it easier to investigate, together with residents, whether electric vehicles can be used for commuting.’
The LEVA-EU member participated in Milan Design Week, where it unveiled sophisticated customisations of its unique microcar as part of its collaborations with My Style Bags, Luisa Beccaria, and Etereo. The occasion was an excellent showcase for sustainable mobility meeting elegant design.
Firstly, the brand joined forces to present the Microlino My Style Bags Limited Series, a co-branding project that showcases a fusion of automotive innovation with artisanal craftsmanship.
It involves a reinterpretation of the iconic Microlino 90, combined with the elegance of My Style Bags, where the owner’s initials can be embroidered on travel bags, and echoed on the microcar’s bodywork.
Microlino also introduced its partnership with Italian lifestyle brand, Luisa Beccari, with a dreamy, floral-themed microcar demonstrating urban mobility meeting design excellence.
Also during Milan Design Week, from 22 to 24 April 2026, Microlino Italia announced its collaboration with boutique architectural firm Etereo. For the occasion, it offered test drives with 5 Etereo customised Microlinos, enabling interested parties to for explore Milan in compact style.
