With its Myli, Ligier bets on the electric license-free car (video)

Specialized in licensing-free microcars since the 1970s, the French manufacturer Ligier now markets its Myli, a small 100% electric and 100% urban vehicle.

For many French people of my generation, Ligier is synonymous with motorsport. Endurance races, Sport-Prototypes, and especially Formula 1. The manufacturer based in Allier has made a mark on the premier discipline for twenty years, with 326 Grand Prix entries, 9 wins, and 50 podiums. Legendary drivers like Patrick Depailler, Jacky Ickx, Jacques Laffite, or Didier Pironi have shined behind the wheel of the blue and white racing cars.

However, although Ligier withdrew from Formula 1 in 1996 (the team was bought by Alain Prost, who gave it a second life until 2001), the French manufacturer still holds significance in the license-free microcar market. But with increasingly strict CO2 standards and the soaring popularity of electric vehicles, the bicylindrical four-stroke diesel engine seems destined to disappear in favor of electric technology.

Many users won’t mind, as this engine was noisy and vibrated significantly. The arrival of the new Ligier Myli coincides with the development of an electric motor of 7.6 hp and 10 Nm of torque, capable of reaching 45 km/h in complete silence. While the power remains standard, Ligier has had the good idea to offer three different battery options, depending on your usage and budget.

Three Battery Options

The entry-level version is equipped with a 4.14 kWh battery (63 km WLTP range), followed by a mid-range with an 8.28 kWh unit (123 km range), and finally a top-tier with a 12.42 kWh battery (192 km range).

Simplicity dictates that recharging can only be done using a standard power outlet, but upgraded to 230 V. It takes more than 6 hours to fully charge the high-range version (12.42 kWh battery).

“Myli is the result of incredible work by all our teams and partners. It embodies Ligier Group’s ambitions in the European new mobility market. Manufactured in our factories in France, Myli reflects our commitment to inventing and producing innovative and appealing models for accessible mobility for everyone,” explains François Ligier, President of Ligier Group.

Pricing for the Ligier Myli

Manufactured in France at the Boufféré plant (Vendée), the Ligier Myli comes in four trim levels: G.Ood: starting at €12,499, I.Deal: starting at €12,999, E.Pic: starting at €16,199, and R.Ebel: starting at €17,099. Note that all these versions are compatible with the €900 “ecological” bonus. Depending on the version, you can get features like a rearview camera, a 10-inch touchscreen tablet, 15-inch alloy wheels, and even a heated windshield! Deliveries start as early as May 2023.

Also read: Is the future electric microcars?