This Endearingly Tiny Retro Buggy Aims for a Mobility That’s Closer to Home

While range anxiety has driven much of the EV segment to focus on increasing battery density and reducing charge times, that’s not to say that everyone is concerned with going the distance.

In fact, there’s a new startup called Amble that’s of the belief that cars are larger and more complicated than necessary for many drivers’ habits. As a result, the outfit wants to flip the script with a new take on short-range transport.

Amble

Closer to home

It’s called the One, and it’s a premium, electric street-legal buggy that’s designed to fill a similar role to rides like the adorable Fiat Topolino.

Accordingly, it touts slick design features such as a tidy digital display, a bevy of built-in storage provisions and some folding front seats. Amongst the leather and cork, it even embraces physical controls.

Amble

In keeping with its positioning as a runabout, Amble claims a top speed of 40 mph and a max range of around 62 miles thanks to the combination of a 15 kW motor and an 11 kWh battery. For perspective, that makes it nearly twice as fast as what LSVs here in the States.

Moreover, it’s designed to roll on a fully independent suspension setup and some 28-inch wheels, so it boasts some light off-road capability to match its adventurous inclinations.

Amble

Still, even though it’s set to be larger and pluckier than your average Club Car, it’ll tip the scales with a comparable curb weight. According to Amble, the One weighs in at a svelte 990 pounds.

A case for small

While Amble’s vision of mobility would be impractical for many drivers because of its open-air construction and barebones equipment, it’s still not as niche of an idea as you might think.

Amble

After all, golf carts and similarly classed vehicles are increasingly finding favor as alternative modes of transport in low-speed and light-traffic settings. Between the higher top speed and the promise of modularity, it’s not hard to imagine the Amble One would appeal to those kinds of users.

There’s still more potential for it to find footing in fleet applications, whether that’s as an option for hotels, resorts or other tourist-minded destinations. 

Amble

To that end, the company is already supposedly entertaining demand from these kinds of locations. It’s also worth mentioning that the project team boasts some impressive credentials.

Beyond a wealth of hospitality expertise, it brings design heavyweights like Michael Tropper (forpeople, Ford advanced design) and Julian Hoenig (Audi and Apple).

Amble

Availability and pricing

According to Amble, initial 2027 delivery slots are currently allocated, though a waiting list is now open for 2028. Prices start at $25,000.

Amble

Amble One

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