The Ultimate Golf Cart: A Luxurious Second Vehicle Option

While the automotive world grapples with the electric vehicle revolution, a fresh startup from Lisbon, Portugal, is taking a unique approach. Amble’s latest creation, the electric buggy, isn’t about speed or autonomous driving; instead, it challenges the notion that cars have become too large and complex, suggesting a return to simpler, more compact designs.

The Amble One is a stylish, street-legal buggy boasting a striking neo-retro aesthetic. It’s aimed at environments where traditional vehicles are impractical, such as hotels and resorts. Crafted by a team with backgrounds at Apple, Audi, and Cowboy, this compact EV seeks to address the issue of oversized trucks and SUVs dominating the roads. It could soon be a common sight in your neighborhood.

Rather than going head-to-head with standard cars, Amble aims to carve out a new niche for a secondary vehicle in households. CEO Adrien Roose explained, “Most families in Europe and America typically own two cars. One is for long trips and vacations, while the second is mainly for short errands like school runs and grocery shopping.” He emphasized, “We want to be the ultimate solution for these short trips.”

The Amble One features an open, minimalist design that’s rugged enough for off-road adventures and beach outings. With no doors, it offers an open-air experience, complete with folding front seats, a digital display, and tactile controls made from leather and cork, reflecting its Portuguese roots. It also includes a front cargo rack for storage and rear seats that fold flat for transporting surfboards or other gear, with built-in mounts for additional accessories.

Equipped with a 15 kW motor and an 11 kWh battery, the Amble One isn’t built for speed; it tops out at 40 mph (65 km/h) and can cover around 62 miles (100 km) on a single charge. Charging from a standard outlet takes about five hours, and it weighs under 450 kg (992 lbs). Roose noted that keeping the weight down was a significant engineering challenge, as the vehicle must comply with Europe’s L7e quadricycle regulations, which set strict weight limits.

Initially designed for resort use, the Amble One is also suitable for local roads. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its lineup of low-speed vehicles for short-distance travel. Roose shared a concept of a version with doors and windows, reminiscent of a dune buggy crossed with a Mini Moke. However, he prefers to draw a more upscale comparison, citing inspiration from the Lunar Rover and classic 4x4s like the G-Wagen, known for their flat surfaces. “Some might call it a glorified golf cart, but it’s much more than that,” he said, highlighting its superior battery range.

The team behind Amble is impressive, with Roose previously leading a premium e-bike company and other members bringing experience from high-profile automotive and design projects. This expertise has influenced Amble’s decision to focus on fleet sales to hospitality businesses, which Roose believes is a more manageable entry point than direct consumer sales. However, due to strong interest in the Amble One, the company is reconsidering its launch timeline.

Currently, customers can reserve the Amble One with a $100 deposit, with deliveries expected in 2028. The starting price is projected at $25,000, and Roose mentioned that over 1,000 reservations have already been made.

Although Amble is based in Lisbon, it won’t manufacture the vehicles in-house. Instead, it has partnered with a well-established contract manufacturer, which Roose described as a serious Tier 1 automotive supplier. Components will be sourced from various locations, with motors from Germany, reducers from Italy, and batteries from China. The plan is to export the initial vehicles to the U.S. from Europe before establishing local manufacturing.

When the Amble One hits the market, it will face competition from a growing array of micro-cars and golf carts, including options like Microlino and Citroën Ami. However, the American market tends to favor larger vehicles, with trucks and SUVs making up about 80% of sales. Experts warn that larger vehicles pose greater risks to pedestrians and cyclists.

Amble’s strategy isn’t aimed at affluent buyers seeking to showcase their eco-friendly choices, but rather at those who appreciate driving and thoughtful design, preferring something smaller than a typical pickup. Roose noted the increasing acceptance of golf carts and low-speed vehicles in many American communities, stating, “It’s common to see a huge pickup alongside a golf cart in many places.”