Dinky EV newbie Uniti One to cost just £15,000

This surprise electric-car package of the year so far, revealed here for the first time, looks set to establish a new entry-point for the battery-electric market, taking on rivals like the Renault Zoe, new electric Smart range and soon-to-arrive Honda e.

As well as the cool looks, and even cooler central driving position, the Uniti One boasts as standard much of the new technology expected in more expensive electric cars, such as photochromic glass roof, rear-vision camera and a smartphone-inspired touchscreen dashboard.

Uniti has released a full specification of its first car, confirming how close it is to hitting the roads. Ahead of its arrival, here’s our Q&A introduction to this interesting newcomer…

What’s its range?

Ninety three miles on a single charge, says Uniti, or you can upgrade the standard 12kWh battery to 24kWh and get up to 186 miles. A 50kW fast charger can add 62 miles of range in 10 minutes, while using a domestic plug at home will get you 80 per cent juice after two hours and six minutes.

Good fun to drive?

While the Uniti One has the same central driving position as certain McLarens, it won’t be quite as fast… But with compact dimensions, light weight (600kg), a tight 7m (23ft) turning circle and low centre of gravity – all the batteries are under the floor – it might be good fun, especially with the centre seat and a view out to rival that of a fighter pilot’s.

How fast?

The motor, driving the rear wheels, provides 68bhp with 85Nm (63 lb ft) of torque for 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. More relevant for essentially an urban runaround is the 0-30mph time of 4.1 seconds. The top speed is 75mph. There are two drive modes: City and a more dynamic Boost setting.

Is it practical?

While the Anglo-Swedish One is compact it’s not as tiny as a two-seat Smart, actually half a metre longer at 3.2m from stem to stern. Making the most of the length is a three-door hatchback cabin with single, central front seat for the driver flanked by two rear seats in arrowhead formation – just like the McLaren F1 and Speedtail.

The result, says Uniti, is ample space for three adults with easy access front and back. The rear seats fold down, taking load space from 155 litres to 760 litres.

What’s it like inside?

There should be no shortage of natural light, that’s for sure. As well as the canopy-style windscreen and large windows, a panoramic roof is standard. Again following McLaren practice, it’s an electrochromic panel that is controlled electronically from transparent through to fully opaque; it darkens automatically to prevent the car heating up when parked.

The clean lines and simple but hi-tech layout of the cabin echo the exterior styling and its Scandinavian minimalism. It is mostly a button-free interior with touchscreen control via three configurable screens.

Is it well connected?

The One’s connectivity is built around Android Automotive OS which brings Google Maps, Waze, Spotify and more without requiring a connected smartphone. Over-the-air software updates are possible and Uniti says the whole system has been future-proofed to take advantage of more connected electric mobility infrastructure as it is developed.

Bluetooth connectivity is standard, along with an integrated rear-view camera and hands-free voice activation. And to get into your One? No key of course, just a secure mobile app on your phone.

Is it well equipped?

A suite of anti-collision driver assistance systems is optional but most of the safety essentials are included, like driver’s airbag, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, tyre pressure monitoring and ISOFIX child seat safety anchors. LED running lights, heated windscreen and mood lighting are standard too, which along with the three-screen dash, rear-view camera and photochromic roof make for an impressive tally.

Really, £15k?

Yup, that’s £15,100 after the £3,500 government’s electric car grant, but note that will be for the 12kWh model; the more powerful battery version promises to cost substantially more. Orders are being taken now and first deliveries for British and Swedish customers are planned for mid 2020. All ordering and configuring will be done online – at www.uniti.earth – since there are no dealers.

With no dealerships, who will look after it?

Uniti says that will come down to a Europe-wide network of mobile technicians coming to you – after first diagnosing the problem using software sent by over-the-air connectivity. The firm is offering a 60,000-mile/three-year warranty on the car and 60,000-mile/five-year guarantee on the battery and motor.

Who or what is Uniti?

Uniti started in 2015 as a future mobility research project at Lund University, Sweden, showing how the car could be reinvented using emerging technologies. Through crowd-funding, it has turned that into a business plan, showing a two-seat prototype in 2017. The head office is still in Lund but the development, engineering and production hub is in Norfolk.

Uniti CEO Lewis Horne said: “This is just the start of our journey towards a more sustainable future. Our goal for the Uniti One is for it to become a catalyst for positive change in our industry and I'm delighted at the way in which this vision has so clearly resonated with people across the globe.”