The Canta: How an ICE Micromobility Icon Kicked in Personal EV Adoption

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AMSTERDAM — On the cobblestone streets of this anciently beautiful city, between the choreographed chaos of well insulated pedestrians, clattering chains of bicycles, and the stately glide of electric trams, a peculiar vehicle weaves through the urban fabric. It’s smaller than a Smart car, quieter than a whisper, and legally permitted to do something almost unthinkable for a four-wheeled machine: drive on bike paths and park on sidewalks — this is the microcar.

And the granddaddy of microcars is the Canta.

Amsterdam, a metropolis that has elevated bicycle culture to near-religious status, embraced the Canta precisely because it solved problems without creating new ones. It didn’t demand more road space. It didn’t spew exhaust into bike lanes. It simply existed as a thoughtful answer to a specific mobility challenge.

The vehicle that defied categories

For decades, Waaijenberg Mobility’s Canta has occupied a unique niche in Dutch transportation policy.

At just 1.10 meters wide, the width of bike handlebars, the vehicle exploits a clever legal loophole: it’s classified not as a car, but as a “mobility aid.” This designation grants it privileges no sedan or SUV could dream of — freedom from conventional licensing requirements, access to cycling infrastructure, and the ability to nestle into spaces where traditional vehicles dare not venture.

The microcar was born from independence, not just necessity. Designed primarily for the elderly and persons with disabilities, the Canta transformed the concept of “I move by myself” from an abstract ideal into a tangible reality. Its “Ride-in” variant allows wheelchair users to drive while remaining in their chairs, rolling up a rear ramp and taking control without the indignity of transferring seats or depending on others.

For years, these microcars puttered (with two-stroke, then 4-stroke engines) through Amsterdam.

The small internal combustion engines delivered just enough power to get to a fast walking pace, their gentle rumbles a modest addition to the city’s soundscape. But something has shifted. Walk through the Jordaan district or along the Amstel today, and the Cantas glide past in near-total silence. The electric revolution has come to the world’s smallest urban vehicle.

When silence shouts

The transformation from fossil fuel to electric power represents more than an environmental checkbox. It’s a quiet manifesto about what urban mobility can become when designers prioritize purpose over prestige, access over status.

The Waaijenberg Canta 2 Urban Premium Elektro, like its ICE-powered grandfather, is a mobility aid (Invalidenvoertuig) within the Netherlands. This designation imposes restrictive technical parameters that govern its efficiency and form factor.

The electric powertrain is optimized for longevity and range over outright power. The motor is rated at a modest 2.2 kilowatts, which is sufficient to propel the lightweight vehicle but remains far below the power output of mass-market quadricycles. This low power output is intrinsically linked to the regulatory 40 km/h maximum speed limit, a mandatory restriction to maintain its mobility aid status and ensure safety on shared infrastructure.

The energy storage system is a compact 4.8 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This capacity appears extremely small when benchmarked against any general-purpose EV. However, due to the combination of the vehicle’s low speed, minimal aerodynamic drag, and low mass, the Canta is capable of claiming a practical driving range of approximately 110 kilometers. This translates to an impressive energy efficiency of around 43.6 watt-hours per kilometer, a metric unattainable by heavier, faster competitors.

Recharging the small battery is correspondingly quick, taking roughly four hours on standard household power.

Specialized accessibility engineering

Unlike other micromobility solutions, the Canta’s structure is fundamentally engineered for disabled drivers.

The Inrij (Ride-in) variant exemplifies this commitment by incorporating a structurally integral lowering ramp at the rear. This feature allows a wheelchair user to drive directly into the cabin without transferring to a standard driver’s seat. Achieving this required the development of a fully flat floor pan and a robust, reinforced rear chassis capable of handling the dynamic loads of a wheelchair entering and being secured for transit. The resulting interior is spacious and highly adaptable, allowing for specialized controls and customizations that further tailor the vehicle to individual user requirements.

Each Canta 2 Inrij undergoes individual customization through a comprehensive fitting session tailored to the specific driver. This process ensures the vehicle seamlessly accommodates the user’s particular needs and requirements.

The vehicle’s accessibility features include an electric height adjustment system at the rear, enabling the vehicle to lower to ground level. A remotely controlled rear door works in conjunction with a lowered floor to facilitate easy wheelchair access. The design accommodates wheelchairs up to 69 cm in width, though some wheelchairs can be modified to fit by adjusting wheel mounting angles or, in the case of electric wheelchairs, installing narrower tires.

Production and customization

The Canta 2 is manufactured at the company’s Veenendaal facility, where specialists provide detailed consultations on customization options. The vehicle is available in two color options: red and silver-gray metallic.

The vehicle’s listed price includes €500 for preparation and delivery services. Buyers should note that the control system type represents an optional selection that incurs additional costs beyond the base price.

Home delivery includes 45 minutes of driving instruction, a 12-month factory warranty, and one year of 24-hour roadside assistance provided in partnership with ANWB roadside assistance.