A new electric micro truck from French-based electric utility vehicle manufacturer Goupil has reportedly gained approval from the Australian government for use on our roads and will go on sale later this year.
Goupil, the French-based subsidiary of American powersport manufacturer Polaris, offers three all-electric utility vehicles designed for local authorities, industrial sites, resorts, and last-mile delivery companies.
Based in the South West of France and with a history dating back to 1996, Goupil’s line-up of its G2, G4, and G6 utility vehicles offer compact 100% electric solutions for a range of situations.
According to a report from Drive.com.au this week, the Goupil G4 has gained government approval for us on Australian roads and is set to go on sale in the country later this year.
Polaris has yet to reply to The Driven confirming the news.
Two reports say two variants of the compact two-seater utility vehicle will initially be available in Australia – a short-wheelbase model known as the ‘M’ and a long-wheelbase model known as the ‘L’.
With both models measuring in at only 1,200mm wide – making it narrower than most quad bikes – the ‘M’ measures 3,600mm nose-to-tail, while the ‘L’ measures 4,150mm nose-to-tail.
The highly modular vehicles can be modified using up to 30 factory-built attachments that can turn the small vehicle into anything from a tipper truck to a box van, leaf collector to watering vehicle, waste collector or refrigerated unit.
Able to carry a payload of up to 2,100-kilograms towing 1,400-kilograms, the G4 is designed with a steel chassis on which rests an aluminium cabin, while the batteries are positioned in the middle.
With a range of around 135-kilometres (WLTP), Goupil’s vehicles are obviously not going to be winning any races, but as the company points out, “the range is not a real issue since most end-users are driving in average 50 km/day.”
According to Drive, three lithium-ion battery pack sizes will be offered in Australia – 7kWh, 9kWh, and 14kWh.
Able to be charged overnight by any 230V/13A domestic socket, upon request the G4 can be equipped with the standard Type 2 plug to ensure compatibility with public charging stations.
Drive currently understands that Goupil is targeting an entry-level cost of approximately $AU45,000 before on-road costs.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.