Liux Boldly Enters the Sustainable Microcar Market, Challenging Chinese Competitors

A notable trend is emerging in various European cities as the demand for compact vehicles continues to grow. The increasing fascination with microcars is leading to the gradual replacement of classic Italian ‘yoghurt pots’ with compact electric vehicles (EVs) produced in China. Consequently, Smart, a well-known manufacturer of ultra-compact cars, has relocated its production facilities to China.

In an effort to carve out a distinct niche in this competitive market, the Spanish startup Liux is set to introduce a compact electric vehicle that emphasizes sustainability.

Following the success of Switzerland’s Microlino, Liux is eager to showcase its groundbreaking microcar, the Liux Big. The name “Big” injects some humor; while its design prioritizes easy parking, it also reflects the daring spirit of a team that constantly strives to redefine innovation.

“The concept of a European car is nearly extinct,” remarked Liux co-founder Antonio Espinosa de los Monteros in a TechCrunch interview. The startup’s offerings have sparked notable interest for being “made in Spain,” making his comments highly relevant to the company’s mission.

While Liux sources its batteries from outside Europe, they are designed for home charging using solar energy. The vehicle’s design prioritizes ease of maintenance and counters the rapid obsolescence that often accompanies modern cars. Furthermore, the exterior employs an innovative linen-based biocomposite that enhances future recyclability.

“David and I both share the belief that recycling must not be confined to laboratory conditions. Although numerous items can theoretically be recycled in a lab, the actual recyclability of a material depends on its design,” Espinosa noted. “Preserving the integrity of materials and ensuring components can be reused are core principles of our manufacturing philosophy.”

Espinosa’s dedication to “genuine circularity” originates from his previous venture, Auara, a Spanish B Corp that packaged natural mineral water in recycled and recyclable containers. Following its acquisition by a larger entity, he and Sancho decided to pursue a new direction with Liux.

With a focus on vehicle innovation, Sancho is spearheading efforts to design low-emission models. His experience includes engineering electric vehicles competitive with gasoline-powered cars. Before joining Liux, he was instrumental in developing the Bóreas, a hybrid supercar debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2017. After parting ways with former partners, he collaborated with Espinosa to launch Liux.

Liux’s initial prototype, known as Animal, showcased their combined expertise—a fully electric five-seater primarily constructed from recycled and plant-based materials. However, after the public unveiling of the SUV in 2022, the team decided to pivot, realizing that a more compact vehicle would have better prospects for homologation.

Fast forward to 2026; Liux has secured European homologation for the Liux Big and aims to officially launch it in the first half of the subsequent year. The company currently has 65 employees and is actively expanding production across three facilities in Spain.

One such facility is located in Azuqueca de Henares, roughly an hour from Madrid, which TechCrunch recently toured.

Though the Azuqueca site is on the smaller side, it adheres to Toyota’s “lean management” principles and focuses exclusively on the final production stages. Production manager Beatriz Belda González, a Spanish engineer with experience at BMW in Munich, confirmed the company’s goal of achieving an annual production capacity of 20,000 vehicles by 2030.

While it is too early to gauge market demand, over 7,500 individuals have shown interest in the Liux Big. Registering is complimentary, enabling the startup to assess its potential clientele. The primary demographic seems to consist of urban dwellers aged 55 to 60, leading Liux to speculate that the Liux Big will primarily serve as a secondary vehicle for households.

This may temper expectations regarding the microcar’s ability to completely replace traditional car ownership. Nonetheless, Espinosa stresses that Liux needs to proceed strategically. By remaining flexible, the startup is also open to partnerships with B2B fleet operators or companies involved in autonomous vehicle technologies.

Espinosa envisions the Liux Big as a critical player in the market by offering a more sustainable and affordable alternative. While pricing discussions are still ongoing, the aim is to keep it below €18,000—approximately $21,000—prior to applicable EV incentives. This positions the vehicle at the higher end of the microcar pricing spectrum, yet Liux is committed to ensuring it provides real value.

Celso Fernández Llorens, the head of R&D at Liux, brought up important points concerning the strict weight and size regulations in this sector. He believes that many microcars possess similar attributes, even though European regulators differentiate between the lightweight L6e four-wheelers and more robust L7e models. Despite these challenges, Liux has adeptly navigated the regulations to optimize its L7e homologation.

By making strategic decisions, the startup has incorporated a 260-liter trunk into its design. The primary goal has been to ensure that drivers experience the feeling of operating a real car, as opposed to a two-wheeled vehicle, which is essential for safety. As Sancho pointed out, it’s critical for a lightweight vehicle to maintain structural integrity and stability during turns.

Even though crash tests are not mandated for their vehicle class, Liux has proactively conducted tests to demonstrate the agility, braking, and handling of the Liux Big. Some of these attributes were showcased to TechCrunch during a brief test drive of the prototype’s off-road version.

The main model will offer two battery options: 15 kWh and 20 kWh, with plans for a cargo variation in development. Despite Sancho’s impressive credentials, he remains captivated by the thrill of creating a supercar. The company recently shared its ambitions on LinkedIn to expand beyond being “just a one-car brand.”

In the short term, however, Liux plans to utilize the €16 million it has raised so far (approximately $18.5 million, including European grants) to launch the urban variant of the Liux Big in collaboration with dealerships across Europe.

The showroom where we convened offers a glimpse into Liux’s future sales strategy, as brand manager Ana Terrado Leyva elaborated. She emphasized the use of textile displays, 3D models illustrating the Liux Big’s three color options—which includes two more choices than the Ford T—and a linoleum floor influenced by linen. These design features exemplify Liux’s efforts to differentiate itself from its Chinese rivals.

Perhaps the dream of a European car is not completely out of reach.