Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 1 hr ago
Small electric vehicles seek a place in France’s car market
Compact electric vehicles are being showcased as the Paris Motor Show opens in France.
The vehicles include small two-seat models, some of which can be driven without a licence and others that require one.
One example is the Bagnole, made by Kilow in Cluses, in Haute-Savoie.
A driver near Millau says he has used his electric Bagnole for nearly every day’s travel over seven months.
It weighs 400 kilograms, can travel up to 130 kilometres on a charge and costs about one euro per 100 kilometres to charge at home.
Kilow says production has grown from two vehicles a week to 20 and could reach 50 a week in early 2027.
The company is preparing another model as French makers compete for a market that is still at an early stage.
Small electric vehicles are seeking buyers in France as fuel prices rise and concern grows about cars’ contribution to climate change.
The Bagnole, made by Kilow in Cluses, is a 400-kilogram electric vehicle with two seats.
It is available in a version limited to 45 km/h that can be driven without a licence and a 90 km/h version that requires one.
Kilow says production has risen from two vehicles a week to 20 and could reach 50 a week in early 2027.
The company says the Bagnole has a range of 130 kilometres and costs one euro per 100 kilometres to charge at home.
- Who
- Kilow and other companies are developing small electric vehicles for the French market.
- What
- The vehicles are being presented as smaller, cheaper alternatives for everyday travel.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026, when the Paris Motor Show opened.
- Where
- The Paris Motor Show and Kilow’s factory in Cluses, Haute-Savoie, France.
- Why
- Companies are seeking to meet demand for less polluting, practical and lower-cost transport as fuel prices rise and concern grows about climate change.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I was the first to be surprised, but in the end I don’t need the big car that much and I’ve saved money by switching to electric, a little over 130 euros in petrol a month, so that’s quite positive.
I have several vehicles, I also have a motorcycle and a big car, and in seven months, since I’ve had this little vehicle, I’ve used it almost every day; I’ve done 7,000 km.
We’ve gone from two vehicles a week to 20 today, and we plan to accelerate to perhaps 50 vehicles a week in early 2027.
The average car journey for a French person is seven kilometres a day. To travel 7 km, do we need a very big car with kilowatts of battery, large tanks or lots of power?
The Paris Motor Show opened in Paris.
Julien had begun using his Bagnole, and said he had driven it almost every day and covered 7,000 km.
Kilow’s production had risen from two vehicles a week to 20.
Kilow expects production could reach 50 vehicles a week.
- Bagnole weight
- 400 kilograms
- Seating
- Two places
- Available speeds
- 45 km/h without a licence; 90 km/h with a licence
- Driving range
- 130 kilometres
- Home charging cost
- One euro per 100 kilometres
- Kilow production
- 20 vehicles a week; possible increase to 50 a week in early 2027
Sources
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