Seldom have we seen so many smiling faces and thumbs up as we did during our test drive with the battery-electric Opel Rocks-e through downtown Frankfurt. The only 2.41 meters short, two-seater Stadtstromer is Opel's first SUM, which is supposed to stand for “Sustainable Urban Mobility”. The rolling cube that looks out of round LED rolling eyes is not a car, but a four-wheeled light motor vehicle that is positioned between the moped and the car and can be driven by even fifteen-year-old teenagers with an AM driving license. Alongside courier and care services and inner-city commuters, Opel has identified Opel as the largest target group.
The minimalist vehicle only needs an insurance license plate. With eight PS and 5.5 kWh battery, the Rocks-e should travel up to 75 kilometers before its battery can be made fit again in three and a half hours at the household socket. The Rocks-e, which costs at least 7,990 euros, must not be faster than 45 km / h, which is reached after around ten seconds, so the area of application is clearly defined.
In the unclad, astonishingly spacious interior, which is flooded with light thanks to the standard panoramic glass roof, the driver and front passenger take place in slightly offset seats that are barely upholstered.
A tiny display behind the steering wheel provides information on speed, battery and range.
A fan heater loudly ensures that it is six degrees warmer than outside.
You have to keep your coat on in winter.
There is no trunk, but with 63 liters of storage space, the micro-Opel offers space for a water tank in the footwell of the co-pilot and a sports bag behind the driver.
When it comes to claiming a miniature car, you shouldn't approach the 471 kilogram lightweight, but the Rocks-e may be worth considering as a covered, weatherproof alternative to a moped, electric scooter or cargo bike.