What-If – Western European Microcar Regulations resembled Japan's Kei Cars

With a post-WW2 POD, what if one or many Western European countries enacted Microcar regulations that roughly mirror Japan’s Kei Car class yet amongst other things can also be driven at minimum on a motorcycle license, with further incentives given to indigenous low-volume carmakers or even motorcycle manufacturers interested in branching out?

In the context of the UK for example, OTL UK Microcar regulations were typically limited to a lightweight 3-wheel configuration (without even a reverse gear in the early-1960s) and could only be driven on a motorcycle license in return for a lower rate of purchase tax, lower vehicle excise duty and lower cost insurance than comparable four-wheel cars, hence explaining the relative popularity of marques such as Reliant and Bond.

The ATL UK Microcar regulations would instead roughly correspond to the OTL 1976 Japanese Kei Car regulations in terms of initial maximum 550cc engine displacement (with 4-wheelers later limited to 700-750cc max by the early/mid-1970s whilst 3-wheelers are limited to 900cc max) with initially similar size limitations to the OTL 1955 Japanese Kei Car regulations along with a maximum weight limit of around 550kg.

Yet such ATL Microcars can still be driven on a motorcycle license at minimum in return for a lower rate of purchase tax, lower vehicle excise duty and lower cost insurance than comparable four-wheel cars in the class above (which includes the likes of the Mini, Fiat 600 and Hillman Imp that are each excluded from the Microcar class based on either size, weight and engine displacement).

For a frame of reference the most well-known OTL European car that comes closest to conforming to the ATL UK Microcar regulations had it actually been built in the UK is the Fiat 500, despite being 2cm wider under the 1955 Japanese Kei Car regulations.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kei_car
 
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Less of those millions of tiny scooters in cities like Paris:

scooters.jpg
 
Less of those millions of tiny scooters in cities like Paris:

Not necessarily if one looks at Japan though it is possible scooters and European motorcycles in general shift from being a tool to donning a more lifestyle image, while ATL European Microcars shift from a quirky lifestyle image to a safer more practical tool around town and the city.

It also might make life slightly more difficult for the Mini whose raison d'etre was to drive the bubble cars off the road and is often credited with bringing about the OTL segment's demise, however the impact of the ATL European Microcars is likely to be relatively negligible since they are essentially Sub-Minis capable of being driven on a motorcycle license and while possibly featuring four adult seats (like the existing Mini) are unlikely to provide superior long distance travel compared to the existing Mini.
 
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Not necessarily if one looks at Japan though it is possible scooters and European motorcycles in general shift from being a tool to donning a more lifestyle image, while ATL European Microcars shift from a quirky lifestyle image to a safer more practical tool around town and the city.

It also might make life slightly more difficult for the Mini whose raison d'etre was to drive the bubble cars off the road and is often credited with bringing about the OTL segment's demise, however the impact of the ATL European Microcars is likely to be relatively negligible since they are essentially Sub-Minis capable of being driven on a motorcycle license and while possibly featuring four adult seats (like the existing Mini) are unlikely to provide superior long distance travel compared to the existing Mini.

That could be true, but isnt getting a motorcycle license in Europe just as difficult to get as a drivers license in the first place? Out of curiosity, why does it seem like in Paris the vast majority of these people driving M-class vehicles seem to be driving scooters rather than actual motorcycles? Here in North America it is generally the reverse because a motorbike can do pretty much everything a scooter can and a lot more (ie highway driving), especially since those little Vespas are getting nearly as expensive as a mid-priced motorbike.
 
That could be true, but isnt getting a motorcycle license in Europe just as difficult to get as a drivers license in the first place? Out of curiosity, why does it seem like in Paris the vast majority of these people driving M-class vehicles seem to be driving scooters rather than actual motorcycles? Here in North America it is generally the reverse because a motorbike can do pretty much everything a scooter can and a lot more (ie highway driving), especially since those little Vespas are getting nearly as expensive as a mid-priced motorbike.

Regarding the minimum required license - Was originally considering a Motorised Quadricycle* or UK Reliant Robin inspired route which required a provisional motorcycle license at minimum that was later modified a few years back in 2013 to only cover riders to drive 3-wheelers if they have a physical disability, though did not want to make it too easy to drive the ATL Microcars.

Probably because Scooters are more practical in cities with smaller roads such as Paris, whereas North America has larger roads making motorbikes more practical.

*- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorised_quadricycle
 
Regarding the minimum required license - Was originally considering a Motorised Quadricycle* or UK Reliant Robin inspired route which required a provisional motorcycle license at minimum that was later modified a few years back in 2013 to only cover riders to drive 3-wheelers if they have a physical disability, though did not want to make it too easy to drive the ATL Microcars.

Probably because Scooters are more practical in cities with smaller roads such as Paris, whereas North America has larger roads making motorbikes more practical.

*- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorised_quadricycle

Since I drive neither a scooter or a motorcycle maybe you can clarify for me why a scooter is more practical than a motorcycle on small roads? Aside from the great big Harley touring bikes, scooters and motorbikes seem about the same size so what is there big advantage ins smaller spaces?
 
Since I drive neither a scooter or a motorcycle maybe you can clarify for me why a scooter is more practical than a motorcycle on small roads? Aside from the great big Harley touring bikes, scooters and motorbikes seem about the same size so what is there big advantage ins smaller spaces?

Am hardly an expert on the subject though AFAIK within big cities or local commutes Scooters have the advantage of better maneuverability and an even easier time parking than compared with a motorcycle. Scooter fuel efficiency also tends to be very high while their cost is low, which is balanced out by their limited range as well as not being allowed on motorways if the engine is below a certain displacement.
 
Am hardly an expert on the subject though AFAIK within big cities or local commutes Scooters have the advantage of better maneuverability and an even easier time parking than compared with a motorcycle. Scooter fuel efficiency also tends to be very high while their cost is low, which is balanced out by their limited range as well as not being allowed on motorways if the engine is below a certain displacement.

Ok, I can understand that, especially the part about fuel efficiency.
 
You mean something better than the Italian Fiat 500 and 600; and smaller than the French Renault 4 and the Citroen 2CV?
 
You mean something better than the Italian Fiat 500 and 600; and smaller than the French Renault 4 and the Citroen 2CV?

Envision the ATL European Microcars initially being almost the same size as the Italian Fiat 500 (albeit with width reduced by 2cm), yet with maximum engine displacement of 550cc as well as a maximum weight limit of 550kg roughly mirroring Japan's Kei Car class.

Over the next few decades the ATL European Microcar regulations would be updated to gradually increase the size, engine displacement and possibly weight limits until they roughly correspond to OTL 1990 Japanese Kei Car Regulations in the present yet with a maximum engine displacement of 750cc for 4-wheeled cars and 900cc for 3-wheeled cars, with a limited maximum speed of 70 mph as well as a minimum power limit of around 40 hp being introduced for the segment.

Cars that would conform to present day ATL European Microcar regulations include the likes of the Subaru Vivio, Honda Today and Mitsubishi Minica Dangan with the closest European car to be eligible for ATL Microcar status being the original Mini with the exception of the latter not featuring a 750cc engine (the smallest OTL Mini engine being the 848cc A-Series).
 
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