The transition to the electric car is made with great reinforcements of SUVs and sedans. Conversely, there are few convertible electric cars, or ‘zero emission’ roadsters.
The electric car market has very few roadsters and convertibles. In addition to the superb MG Cyberster, there is also a roofless version of the electric Mini.
But the other brands have not launched themselves into this type of vehicle, despite the interest of the public. The Cyberster is indeed very popular, and we know how much the Mazda MX-5, to name but one, has defined a type of vehicle that lovers of driving pleasure crave.
But the electric transition does not give pride of place to this type of car for the moment. And the reasons for this are many, starting with the batteries themselves.
Indeed, electric car platforms generally include a battery pack installed horizontally at the lowest point of the vehicle, between the axles. This is what drives manufacturers to mainly produce SUVs on these bases.
When it comes to making sedans, the challenge is already a little bigger. Indeed, the battery pack makes it necessary to raise the rest of the vehicle, in order to conserve interior space.
We see it for example with the Kia EV6, which the manufacturer considers a crossover. Having to leave room at its base for batteries turned what was more of a sedan into a crossover.
But when creating a convertible, it is very complicated to slip in a battery pack. Indeed, this necessarily modifies the proportions of the vehicle, which is not easy to integrate aesthetically.
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A weight for the moment not compatible?
Weight is obviously another factor that complicates the very concept of an electric roadster. It is known that the advantage of such a car as the Mazda MX-5 is, first of all, its low mass. The Japanese indeed weighs 1.2 tons, and this is what gives it its agility and excellent balance.
The MG Cyberster, which is its closest electric rival, weighs 1850 kilos. Of course, not all the weight comes from the battery alone.
Car safety is now a crucial parameter in weight management. This is also partly what made the weight gain of the MX-5, the first generation of which weighed less than a ton. The next generation should see its mass increase drastically.
If we add the battery pack and a reasonably powerful motor, we reach almost two tons for the Cyberster. The work on materials is a way of limiting the weight of these cars.
Unfortunately, this requires more research and development work. And as a result, expenses are also increasing. The consequence of this is the increase in the price of vehicles.
