The Future of Automaking: Discover the Surprising Swedish Brand Crafting Flat-Pack Cars

Parked along a tree-lined street, Luvly O appears similar to any other compact car. With its boxy yet sleek design, this cream-colored vehicle exudes a modern and classic aesthetic that embodies Scandi minimalism. In fact, it wouldn't be out of place in an IKEA showroom, as it shares more than one similarity with the products sold by the Swedish furniture giant. This is because, just like IKEA's offerings, Luvly O is designed to be conveniently delivered in a flat-packed form to its final destination.

Stockholm-based startup Luvly, which was founded in 2015, claims that its first-ever ready-to-assemble car is compact and lightweight, leading to a noteworthy reduction in carbon emissions linked to transportation. Luvly also aims to make sustainable transportation more cost-effective, by incorporating features such as an ultra-light frame and interchangeable batteries, according to Håkan Lutz, CEO and co-founder of Luvly.

Weighing less than 450 kilograms (992 pounds), which is less than one-quarter of the weight of the average modern car, Luvly boasts a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles) and a top speed of 90 kilometers (55 miles) per hour. According to Lutz, this range and speed are sufficient for most daily commutes and urban trips.

However, Lutz clarifies that these cars are not intended to be DIY projects. In order to comply with road regulations, they must be assembled by a licensed car plant before being handed over to customers.

Although self-assembly is not necessary, Luvly aims to replicate the impact IKEA has had on furniture, but this time with cars. Lutz believes that Luvly can provide vehicles with "good enough quality and very nice design, at an affordable price and in an efficient manner, accessible to everyone."

The two-seater has a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles) -- which covers most daily commutes, according to the company.

Luvly

A “Luvly” solution

Luvly O is a "light urban vehicle," also known as a microcar.

Tiny cars have been swiftly maneuvering through urban streets since the 1950s. The renowned BMW Isetta, weighing a mere 350 kilograms (770 pounds), popularized the "bubble car" style that continues to inspire contemporary light vehicle design.

Despite their adorable appearance, microcars have a reputation for being unsafe. Their small stature, lightweight structures, and limited front crumple zones make them more susceptible to severe injuries for drivers involved in accidents, especially with larger vehicles. Furthermore, microcars are exempt from the same safety regulations as standard passenger cars and are not required to undergo crash testing.

In order for light vehicles to effectively compete with cars and ultimately surpass them, ensuring safety is crucial. It is imperative to recognize that individuals will not readily embrace transitioning from driving an SUV to essentially operating a scooter with a protective covering.

"In order for light vehicles to be competitive with cars, and potentially surpass them, safety is crucial. People will not be willing to transition from driving an SUV to essentially driving a scooter enclosed in a shell," stated Lutz.

To tackle this issue, Luvly sought inspiration from Formula One cars, renowned for their lightweight yet robust chassis. Luvly's Os frame incorporates a "sandwich structure," incorporating lightweight plastic foam on both sides of an aluminum layer. According to Lutz, in the event of a collision, the padding will absorb the impact force and safeguard the driver.

Lutz explains that while crash testing is not required, the company conducts computer simulations instead, as it is a more cost-effective approach compared to actually crashing physical objects. Additionally, Luvly O is equipped with two rechargeable 16-kilogram batteries that can be easily interchanged to ensure a continuous power supply for the vehicle.

Luvly's patented chassis uses a flat-pack system, allowing more cars to be shipped per container and cutting each vehicle's delivery emissions.

Luvly

Luvly is still testing the Luvly O prototype but hopes to launch the car next year with a price tag of around €10,000 ($10,500), says Lutz.

However, the microcar isnt Luvlys ultimate goal.

Luvly plans to license its patented light vehicle flat-pack framework to other car manufacturers to build their own branded versions.

"H1 Placeholder 1: Our focus is not to become major vehicle manufacturers, rather we have the intention of being minor producers to promote and advance the technology," states Lutz. "While our desire is to license this to others, our goal is also to maintain our competitive edge and excel in our platform."

Size matters

Luvly is not the only company that is adapting to the growing consumer preference for larger car models by modernizing the microcar.

In 2020, Citroën, a French automaker, introduced the Ami, a two-seat electric microcar weighing 483 kilograms (1,064 pounds). This innovation was also replicated by Opel, a German brand, and Fiat, an Italian carmaker. Another example is the Microlino, a "bubble car" introduced by Swiss urban vehicle manufacturer Micro, which pays homage to the 1950s Isetta minicar. Similar to Luvly, the Microlino utilizes a sportscar-inspired chassis to enhance safety.

The retro-futuristic Microlino takes inspiration from 1950s "bubble" cars.

Microlino

Microcars are easier to maneuver, and they require smaller parking spaces, says Mascha Brost, an expert in light vehicles at the German Aerospace Center.

By 2050, it is projected that approximately 68% of the world's population will reside in urban areas. Consequently, urban space is becoming increasingly scarce. Utilizing smaller cars instead of larger ones has the potential to alleviate this issue, allowing for more pedestrian-friendly areas and increased green spaces. In addition, this shift can help decrease the amount of heat trapped in urban environments. According to Brost, this is crucial because nearly 11% of greenhouse gas emissions produced by energy consumption are derived from road passenger vehicles. Although the sale of electric cars has been on the rise, setting new records last year and contributing to the reduction of emissions released from tailpipes, recent research suggests that the overall benefits of electric vehicles may be limited if the energy and raw materials utilized in their production are not minimized.

Brost suggests that light electric vehicles (LEVs) like microcars, which are resource-light and require less energy to manufacture than electric passenger cars, could significantly reduce transport carbon emissions. In fact, a relatively large microcar produces only one-third of the emissions for production in comparison to an electric passenger car.

Mascha Brost, German Aerospace Center

"A rather large microcar has only one-third of the emissions for production, compared to an electric passenger car," says Brost.

In her 2022 study on car use and LEVs in Germany, Brost determined that incorporating light vehicles, such as e-bikes, mopeds, and microcars, could potentially account for 50% of total mileage. As a result, transportation emissions could be reduced by 44%.

Smaller is safer

Brost suggests that light vehicles have the potential to enhance pedestrian safety. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research organization, reveals a continuous rise in the number of pedestrian fatalities on American roads over the past decade. Shockingly, in 2021, pedestrian deaths in traffic incidents hit a record high in 40 years. This surge is partially attributed to the increasing demand for sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

According to Brost, although an SUV may offer safety for its occupants, it might not ensure safety for other users on the road. However, Brost states that the potential to replace cars with LEVs in urban areas is significant. Nonetheless, regulatory and logistical challenges are preventing their widescale adoption.

Creating "safe operating conditions" for light vehicles is crucial, as sharing the roads with larger, faster cars can be unsafe, according to Brost. She highlights Peachtree City in Georgia, US, as an example, where a 100-mile-long second road network ensures safe driving conditions for the town's fleet of 10,000 golf carts and promotes pedestrian-friendly environments. While it may not be feasible for all cities, this example showcases the potential for accommodating light vehicles.

However, according to Brost, it is crucial to offer consumers a wider range of LEV models in order to appeal to them. This is precisely where Luvly aims to make a contribution by encouraging more car manufacturers to create light urban vehicles using its patented framework.

"The service that cars offer is beneficial and wonderful, providing personal freedom. However, it is not highly optimized for our needs," remarks Lutz. "(Luvly) accomplishes the same service but with significantly fewer resources. This is advantageous and aligns with what we should be aiming for."