The Moke Californian was last sold in the US in 1982 – some 40 years ago now. However, as reported here last month, the new owners of the brand have been preparing to relaunch sales in the US, with an electric version.
That US launch has now happened – with further details, pricing and ordering information now available.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $US41,900 ($A64,420) with a refundable deposit of $US990 ($A1500) needed to secure a build slot in the queue.
Securing that slot is actually more important than it first appears, as only 325 cars will be put up for sale in the US each year. (This number being set to keep within the American 2015 Low Volume Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Act).
It is also worth noting that despite current safety regulations that require vehicle exterior designs to be as pedestrian friendly as possible, the Moke’s rather angular edges can be included in a new vehicle.
This is because the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has implemented legislation that allows heritage brands to produce derivatives of any of their models that are over 25 years old, but comply with current federal safety standards for motor vehicle equipment.
Options
As for options – you have two: The choice of colour, and whether you want a full canopy.
Built in the UK, the Electric Moke Californian has a claimed range of up to 120km, enough the manufacturer helpfully suggests “to cruise Route 101 down to Malibu Beach from Santa Barbara.”
While the Electric Moke Californian is no ball of fire (44hp and 0-55km/h in 4.3 seconds) it is at least more powerful than the original. (That original petrol-powered version was 39hp and did 0-55km/h in around 6.3 seconds). Furthermore, being (just) capable of 80km/h means the Moke Californian is ‘highway legal’ in the US.
Currently the electric Moke is only available in the UK, France and the US (the US version being exclusively the Californian) and done through Moke International’s website: https://mokeinternational.com/gb-en/order-gb/
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.