Mobility in old age: Small electric cars for seniors

Electric cars are also becoming increasingly popular among older people. The criteria for good e-cars for seniors are the same as for combustion engines – clear, easy to load and unload and convenient. The automatic transmission is already included – practical. We have selected some e-cars for seniors and tell you whether light vehicles can be an alternative.

If you're interested in an electric car, here are a few offers:

Best e-cars for seniors

Model	Offers from
Opel Mokka-e	€32,432	Compare offers
Mazda MX-30	25.515 €	Compare offers
Hyundai Kona Electric	€35,053	Compare offers
Toyota bZ4X	€38,928	Compare offers
VW ID.4	€35,738	Compare offers
Kia Soul EV	€38,772	Compare offers

 

Why are there electric cars for seniors?

When we talk about electric cars for seniors, we first have to make a precise distinction between "real" e-cars and light vehicles or scooters. A senior citizen car is usually thought of as a cabin scooter or a small electric car in the form of a light vehicle.

Light vehicles can often be driven without a driver's license and have a senior- and disabled-friendly entrance, automatic transmission and an electric motor. These vehicles are a good way for older people without a driver's license or with reduced mobility to maintain their independence and remain independent.

If you have a driver's license and want to buy a real electric car, you should pay attention to the selection criteria listed below when choosing an electric car.

 

What are the selection criteria for an electric car for seniors?

With electric cars for seniors, just like with combustion cars for seniors, you should pay attention to a few things so that you can find the right vehicle. Whether it's a new car or a year-old car, there are a few criteria you should keep in mind:

• Be sure to take a test drive/seat test (Comfortable? Is the seat height right?)
• How high is the loading sill – can I load and unload comfortably?
• But make sure you have a good overview: is the car perhaps too big for me?
• Automatic transmission makes everything easier
• Sufficiently powerful engine but not endless power
• Check insurance costs in advance
• Order useful assistance systems
• Infotainment system that is as user-friendly as possible
• Will a disabled-friendly conversion be necessary in the foreseeable future?

A Renault Twizy alternative would also be conceivable and should be considered.

 

Electric cars for seniors – These models are suitable

There are some models on the electric car market that are also well suited for seniors. We have defined the following values as criteria:

• Loading sill height: maximum 78 centimetres
• Seat height: at least 47 centimeters
• Length: maximum 4.60 meters
• Seats: four to five
• Height: at least 1.50 meters

Opel Mokka-e – modern but age-appropriate

The Mokka-e is an SUV, but a very compact one, which should make it easy to keep track of everything. With a length of 4.15 meters, parking should not be a problem either. Because it is more of a compact car than an SUV, you have to make a few compromises, of course. The entry is high, but not as high as with some other SUVs. Nevertheless, you can get in and out of the car easily and comfortably.

At the front, however, there is no sign of its short length. The space is completely sufficient and the head also has enough space.

The trunk fits 310 liters - that's not much, but should be enough to transport groceries and also to take a vacation from time to time. With a range of 200 to 300 kilometres, the holiday destination should not be too far away.

Opel Mokka-e	Compare offers
Seat	approx. 51 cm
Loading sill height	77 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	✅ ❌ mediocre
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

Inside, you can see that the Mokka-e has been designed in a very purist way. The materials are high quality and well made. The seats are comfortable and provide a good grip. If you want even more seating comfort, then the ergonomic seats, which are subject to an extra charge, may be interesting.

The operation in the Mokka-e is more or less simple, because it is a mix of touch surfaces and haptic switches. The most important functions such as air conditioning or volume are still available as haptic buttons. That definitely makes it easier for seniors.

In terms of safety systems, the Mokka-e is already well equipped in the basic version. You get cruise control, traffic sign recognition, hill start assist, fatigue detection and much more. A camera can also be purchased for an extra charge.

Mazda MX-30 – for all the young at heart

The Mazda MX-30 is visually something for young-at-heart seniors, because it comes across as very futuristic. It is also a crossover, so although elements of an SUV are installed, it is not a real SUV, which is also noticeable here and there.

The Mazda is rather the quieter type on the road, the power is low for the total weight and accordingly you drive relatively comfortably - not the worst for older people. With a length of 4.40 meters, it is very compact, but the height of 1.56 meters is already relatively low, so you have to be a little more agile to get in. However, the entrance is still okay, because the front doors are very long.

Mazda MX-30	Compare offers
Seat	49 cm
Loading sill height	73 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	✅ ❌ mediocre
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

Only people who don't need so much space should sit in the back, the trunk is okay with 366 liters but not huge. The interior is something for connoisseurs, because here it is noble, comfortable and pretty to look at. You also get a lot of highlights, such as a head-up display, which is installed as standard and can give seniors a lot of security, because the view remains on the road.

Hyundai Kona Electric – Space Miracle

The new model of the Kona Electric is even better than the first generation. You can also see visually that it has become more modern - and that is also important for seniors. Above all, the large amount of space in the interior should be a source of joy. With a length of 4.35 meters, it is still very compact and still well suited for city traffic. At the front you get six centimeters more legroom, and there is also more room for shoulders and head.

With the Kona Electric, you can easily pack up your grandchildren and go on a trip, because luggage fits enough in the 466-liter trunk. And if you opt for the large 65.4 kW battery, you can travel 500 kilometres.

Hyundai Kona Electric	Compare offers
Seat	n.a.
Loading sill height	70 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	✅ ❌ mediocre
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

Assistance systems are available in abundance, but are often only available in packages that are subject to an extra charge. As far as driving comfort is concerned, no one can complain. The Kona drives smoothly, has firm suspension and is very quiet. Loading and unloading should also not be difficult thanks to the low loading sill height.

Toyota bZ4X – with all-wheel drive

This model name is not for the faint of heart! Even senior citizens who regularly deal with brain teasers could have problems memorizing the wildly composed combination of characters in the long term – at least the author of this text has a hard time with the order and upper and lower case letters after a very short time. However, "bZ" is simply intended to symbolize the model's status as a pure electric car, while the "X" stands for all-wheel drive. Not only older, but also younger adventurers who can't keep their hands off off-road driving should sit up and take notice here.

But the Toyota bZ4X can do much more: Wrongly, the electric SUV, which has just appeared on the market, flies somewhat under the radar of many buyers. The remarkable range of the electric crossover of up to 513 kilometres is commendable. In addition, the vehicle is bursting with power on the outside due to the sharp edges, and the Japanese carmaker's designers have done an excellent job with the muzzle.

Toyota bZ4X	Compare offers
Seat	n.a.
Loading sill height	71 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	✅
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

Which seniors and which senior will please say no to such a chic e-car sandwich? And even though Toyota does not provide official information on seat height and loading sill height, it can be estimated quite precisely based on the type of vehicle that access will be extremely comfortable for older people. Only the vehicle length of 4.69 meters could cause difficulties when parking.

The interior, however, is not quite as sleek as the exterior, but this benefits the user-friendliness in particular. With a few tricks and tricks, the bZ4X is very easy to use, only the display for the remaining range could have been a little larger - even people without visual impairments reach their limits when reading. The passengers in the rear are likely to recognize this even less well - but passengers in the back enjoy plenty of space for arms and legs. If you are at a sprightly age, but still don't want to do without a sporty, firm suspension, the bZ4X with 20-inch tires is an almost unbeatable offer. If you want it to be a little more comfortable, the 19-inchers are sufficient.

VW ID.4 – classically good

You can't go wrong with a VW – and not with the VW ID.4 either. The electric crossover does a lot right, for example it offers a comfortable seating position, a good overview and it is very suitable for everyday use. Getting in and out of the car is no problem at the front or rear, because there is enough space and thanks to the five doors, no one has to squeeze through the front door into the rear.

All this sounds a lot like a perfect car for seniors. The trunk volume of 543 liters and a very tidy cockpit in the interior also speak for this. VW has taken the criticism of its customers to heart and is showing restraint.

VW ID.4	Compare offers
Seat	n.a.
Loading sill height	70 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	❌
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

Unfortunately, the operation of the multimedia system is not as easy as you are used to from earlier VW models. Here you have to work with a touchpad, there are almost no buttons left. The operation is not intuitive, but actually very cumbersome. This is a real minus point, because whether you still want to get involved in these gimmicks as an older person is rather unlikely.

Kia e-Soul – boxy but practical

Another electric car, but this time a rather special one: The Kia e-Soul stands out not only because of its idiosyncratic design, but also because of the fact that Kia has been offering this model exclusively as an electric car since the facelift. In the higher engine variant, Kia promises a range of 452 kilometers - for a raised small car with SUV borrowings, this is a more than decent value.

Anyone who gets into the e-Soul will quickly notice that the seating position, which is about 58 centimeters high, is extremely comfortable to reach. The seats on which you sit after boarding are sufficiently upholstered, and there is more than enough space for the limbs on the front seats. At just under 80 centimeters, the loading sill is actually a bit too high, so if you're older and don't want to do a little back workout every time you load the car, the Kia e-Soul may be less well advised.

Kia e-Soul	Compare offers
Seat	58 cm
Loading sill height	80 cm
Comfort	✅
Ease of use	✅ ❌ mediocre
Comfort	✅
Automatic transmission	✅
Assistance systems	✅ some with surcharge

The driving performance of the Kia e-Soul, on the other hand, is really worth seeing: The car is fast enough on the road, has a light-footed suspension and this car is certainly not noisy thanks to its electric motor. In terms of ease of use, however, the e-Soul has to give up a few points, because the extreme mix of digital and analog buttons takes some getting used to. Of course, the e-Soul is particularly interesting because of its low maintenance costs – especially in terms of insurance – as well as the 7-year warranty that Kia offers.

Another plus: the extensive range of assistance systems. A lane departure warning system is standard, as is a collision warning system. However, if you also want to be warned about cross traffic and vehicles in the blind spot, you have to pay more.

 

Light vehicle: Alternative as a senior citizen's car?

Light vehicles are a good alternative for seniors if they do not have a driver's license and money is also a bit tight. For short distances, such as shopping or doctor's appointments, light vehicles are a good way to stay mobile. The consumption of these cars is also very low and the space in the trunk is also relatively good for such a small car.

We briefly introduce you to three of these light vehicles.

Leichtmobil Charly

Protected from wind and weather, you can be on the road with the light mobile Charly. The batteries are maintenance-free and the electric motor quickly reaches a maximum speed of 15 km/h - no driver's license is required for this and you can maintain your independence even in old age.

In addition, you do not need registration and do not pay vehicle tax. Only an insurance license plate is required. With 320 liters of trunk volume, you can also accommodate a lot.

Pride Scooter

The Pride Scooter is full suspension, has a robust frame and is equipped with modern technology. Taillights and reflectors help to ensure that you are seen well even in bad weather or darkness. And best of all, no driver's license is required either. Depending on which model you choose, the speed is between 6 and 15 km/h.

Axiam Electric

You can travel faster with the Axiam light vehicle – but a driver's license is required here. The range is up to 80 kilometers and after only 3.5 hours of maximum charging time, the Axiam is ready for use again.

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