Small, affordable EVs are here. And, no, we don’t buy a bunch Electric cars from China. Still.
for nearly 50 years Little Tikes Cozy Coupe It has become a staple in American garages, driveways, and front yards. What started as simple red and yellow, plastic, foot-operated machine, Beloved by many 18-month-to-5-year-olds, it spawned fancier versions with ladybug spots and truck parts, but is now also, in short, the cheapest new electric car in the US, starting at $64.99 (MSRP).
Little Tikes added $32.99 Convenient Electronic Charging Station for accessories for the classic Cozy Coupe and its derivatives Car and driver. The Ohio-based company describes it as a “charging accessory” that “brings modern realism to classic Cozy Coupe adventures, allowing kids to experience the thrill of ‘powering up’ before taking off on their next journey. Features include lights, a ‘Power Button’ to mimic the start button, and sounds not far removed from many modern EVs, as they make as much noise as a foot-powered car.”
Strangely, the three AA batteries needed for the lights and sound functions are not included.
Introducing kids to a realistic charging experience explains why Little Tikes is emerging as a staple product for the 2020s. Electric vehicles hardly make up the majority of new cars sold in the U.S., but Experian Automotive estimates More than 4 million In a recent study, they are on the way in 2024. That was more than double the number just two years ago, and the numbers are expected to rise even if new sales cool with the current reduction in government stimulus. Even if you don’t have an EV in your garage, chances are there’s one on your street.
With the Convenient Electronic Charging Station, a simulated home charging experience can be a major part of the fun and an advantage over toy gas pumps. If you already own an EV as a family car and your child falls into the 18-month-to-5-year-old demographic, their first real car experience may have been in your driveway.
However, the Cozy Coupe hasn’t gone full EV, which is probably a wise move given how many major companies have backed away from their models. original electrification plans and hybrids, plug-ins or rejection of home-grown EVs as a whole. Little Tikes still offers two versions of the Gas Pump if drivers choose to stick with dinosaur fuel.
No word on what the price per gallon is at this pump.
