IT'S NO MINI. IT'S AN ELECTRIC MOKE

We drive the retro-inspired EV hailed as an antidote to the world we live in

- Tom Jervis

WHAT is a car? Forget about today's tech-laden computers on wheels and instead rewind the clock to the dawn of motoring. This was when the car was nothing more than a bare-bones yet expensive luxury item that doubled as a means for travelling short distances and displaying your personal wealth. With this in mind, let us introduce you to the new Electric Moke.

But we need to get a handful of things out of the way first. The Electric Moke is not a 'restomod'; it's an all-new vehicle that's been built in Britain, aiming to recapture the spirit of the sixties original.

Second, this isn't a 'Mini Moke' at all, but an 'Electric Moke'. BMW holds the rights to the Mini brand, which it acquired from Rover Group back in 1996. The Moke nameplate, on the other hand, was bought by Chinese manufacturer Chery - the conglomerate behind the likes of EV brands Omoda and Jaecoo - which has been building new petrol-powered versions under the name of Moke International since 2013. The brand went 100 per cent electric in 2022 and gained M1 Small Series approval in 2023, allowing the Electric Moke to be driven on the motorway in Europe.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, unlike most reviews, we're going to reveal our verdict up front: unless you're a multi-millionaire, we don't recommend you buy the Electric Moke. At just shy of £36,000, it's little more than a toolshed on wheels for the same price as an electric family car. But it's a charming toolshed, nonetheless.

As you can see, the design of the Moke has changed very little over the years, yet fundamental changes have been made to meet modern roads, safety regulations and...portion sizes.