Aixam Easy Chic: electric, test, review, autonomy, consumption, how is it going, optional

For short daily trips, a light quadricycle can represent a valid alternative to a scooter. Compared to the latter, in fact, it allows greater protection from atmospheric agents, without however involving the management costs of a car. And with the new wave of electric engines arriving on the market, maintenance costs have also been further reduced, with exemption from road tax for the first five years from purchase and greater technical simplicity compared to a conventional diesel microcar. But what does it mean to rely on an electric quadricycle for your daily commute? To find out, we put the new one to the test Aixam Easy Chic electric.

1 The rules

—

First, a quick regulatory review. Light quadricycles (minicars) are rideable from now on from 14 years of age with an AM licenseprovided that three parameters are respected: the power cannot exceed 6 kW (8.1 HP), the maximum speed does not exceed 45 km/h and the weight does not exceed 425 kg. To verify that an electric quadricycle can be driven by a fourteen-year-old with an AM license, just look at the approval code: for battery-powered minicars, this is L6E-B.

2 The technique

—

The Aixam Easy Chic is powered by a 6 kW electric motor (equal to 8.2 HP), which makes it driveable with an AM license. The torque is equal to 40 Nm, while the power goes through a pack 7.44 kWh Li-Nmc batteries, which according to the Wmtc approval cycle can guarantee 113 kilometers of autonomy. As per regulations, the maximum speed is limited to 45 kilometers per hour, while the weight stands at 415 kg. There recharge occurs via a cable with attachment Schukotherefore compatible with a domestic socket. To bring it from 0% to 100% of the charge, connecting it to a normal wall socket, therefore takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes, with an energy cost of around 2.55 euros.

3 Pocket-sized

—

The dimensions of the Aixam Easy Chic are ultra-compact. In fact, the length stops at height 2,773 meterswhile the width does not go beyond one and a half metres. All this translates into mignon proportions with “nice” features, thanks also to the rounded stylistic imprint. The front and tail are fitted with circular light clusters, while each corner is smoothed and bevelled. With version Easy Chicthe most refined in the catalogue, also includes 14-inch burnished alloy wheels and a black painted roof, which can be combined with three different colours: titanium gray (like the example on test), white and jade green. As usual in this segment, the plastic bodywork has rather approximate panel fits.

4 Cockpit

—

The interior of the Aixam Easy Chic appears spartan, but at the same time pleasantly so ergonomic. All the controls are in fact managed in the center of the dashboard, where the buttons for the electric windows, the central locking and the controls for the air conditioning. And the latter is surprisingly intuitive to use: a three-position button regulates the speed of the fans, a ring the direction of the air flow (face, legs or windscreen) and a switch allows you to choose whether you want to heat or cool the passenger compartment. There is also a smartphone holderwhich allows you to attach your device to use it for example as a navigator. In terms of finishes, however, some compromises are made. All the plastics in the passenger compartment are rigid and dark, but it is possible to give a touch of color by drawing on the optional catalogue, which includes various possible patterns for the dashboard. The seats are made of synthetic material and can be heated upon request (for the driver only).

5 How is it going

—

The claustrophobics are at the wheel of the Aixam Easy Chic spaces of the city center suddenly become large and navigable. Thanks to the miniature proportions, which allow you to deal with the daily “war on parking” with greater ease. In this context, electric motorization has several tricks up its sleeve. If you have reliable charging points, the convenience compared to a diesel counterpart it becomes very evident, first of all in terms of cost per kilometre. An Aixam Easy Chic diesel consumes 4.3 l/100 km, so to travel 100 km with current diesel prices (1,974 euros/litre) you need an average of 8.4 euros. The same distance behind the wheel of an electric Aixam Easy Chic costs around 2.6 euros (charging at home with a rate of 0.30 euros/kW). In addition to the savings in terms of tax and maintenance, the electric one also guarantees smoother and more linear deliveryas well as good agility when starting from a standing start. Finally, there is also a clear reduction in noise and vibrations in the cabin. Despite this, however, you don’t exactly travel “in silence” through the streets of the center. The noise of the electric motor permeates into the cabin, and on the bumpy asphalt of the center the vibrations remain clearly perceptible. Even in the chapter on ride comfort, some sacrifices must be taken into account compared to a normal city car: once the more pronounced bumps have been removed, the response of the suspension is not excessively abrupt, and the seats do a good job of containing the body, but the absence of soft coverings in the glove compartments means that in the presence of any disconnection every stored object “rattles” noisily.

6 Prices and fittings

—

The electric Aixam Easy is available starting from 10,499 euros with the Access setup. Standard equipment includes electric windows, central locking, 13-inch wheels with wheel covers and a maximum range of 75 km. Easy Chic instead starts from 12,999 euros and also adds two-tone paint, 14-inch wheels, speakers with Bluetooth and superior autonomy, 113 km in the WMTC cycle. Among them optional the most relevant are the air conditioning (1,299 euros), the additional heating (1,199 euros) and the heated driver’s seat (149 euros) while to customize the dashboard with one of the different patterns available you need from 49 to 89 euros.

7 Pros and cons

—

Below, the main advantages and disadvantages detected during the road test of the electric Aixam Easy Chic:

Merits:

• Economy of use: allows you to carry out daily errands with a very low cost per kilometre;
• Ergonomics: the dashboard is intelligently organized, for considerable ease of use;
• Electric motor: quieter and smoother than a diesel counterpart.

Defects:

• Noise: the “voice” of the electric motor is still clearly perceptible in the cockpit, and there is no shortage of vibrations on rough asphalt. All the compartments are made of rigid material, so any stored objects tend to bang noisily;
• Finishes: the cockpit is entirely made of rigid plastic, and the panel fits are quite approximate.