Circle: Discovery of the Future Electric Car in Car Sharing

This new French car Circle is electric and will only be available through car-sharing. Premiered in Paris.

It was during an event aimed at mobility startups that we discovered Circle. A new French company, it targets car-sharing and is presenting its first prototype. And what a surprise to mention it alongside Eric Boullier, a name well known to our colleagues at AutoHebdo. This 49-year-old Frenchman has notably managed Renault F1 and McLaren F1 teams between 2010 and 2018. Far from the circuits, he remains in the automotive field as co-founder and CEO of Circle Mobility.

A lightweight car with removable battery

“We discussed with mobility operators like Lime, who want to complement their offerings of bikes and electric scooters,” recounts E. Boullier, specifying that Circle also targets automotive players.

Circle is a car, but more precisely a heavy electric quadricycle in category L7e. Weighing less than 500 kg, the vehicle has two doors and two seats, similar to a Citroën Ami. But unlike the limited speed of 45 km/h, the Circle has an electric motor from Valeo that propels it up to 70 km/h, allowing access to fast lanes such as the Paris beltway.

Like a XEV Yoyo, its lithium-ion batteries are removable. Six modules under the floor are interchangeable, convenient for quickly recharging energy. Managing thousands of cars without waiting hours for recharging is critical, promising up to 140 km of range.

A washable interior that disinfects automatically

For now, it’s just a prototype. Its coverings are still provisional, but the Circle features a minimalist interior. Besides the two fully padded seats — unlike a Mobilize Duo — the vehicle only has pedals, a space for bags in the back, a handbrake, and the steering wheel with a smartphone holder. “There’s no screen because we know those are easily tampered with,” shares E. Boullier, “we made sure the vehicle is as simple and washable as possible.”

The materials will therefore be plastic to facilitate maintenance, and a 3-minute ventilation automatically disinfects after each use. Another innovative feature, “two cameras will film — one outside for insurance purposes in case of an accident, and one inside to scan the cabin,” adds Circle’s boss. In case of forgotten objects, the car will remain in service until the user retrieves it, and it only locks once empty.

The final Circle in early 2023

Circle Mobility will unveil the final version of the car in early January at the CES in Las Vegas. The electric car — pardon, quadricycle — will start production in 2023. Its components will be produced in a central factory — still unknown — with assembly happening in smaller, more local micro-factories.

The car will then join ride-sharing fleets, with locations yet to be determined, where “to be visible in a city, you need at least 1,000 vehicles.” But Eric Boullier is confident, currently confirming 3,500 orders. Meanwhile, the Circle will soon be tested in Mobiwisy! Stay tuned!

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