Apple Car Designer Launches $25K Moon Buggy-Inspired EV

Imagine if Apple designed a golf cart and then decided to make it street legal.

That's essentially what happened when Julian Hoenig, who worked on Apple's now-canceled car project, teamed up with founders from Audi, Ford, and premium ebike maker Cowboy. Together they've created the Amble One, a $25,000 electric buggy that's part beach cruiser, part luxury transport, and fully inspired by the NASA moon buggy.

The open-air vehicle launches today from Lisbon, Portugal. It can travel over 60 miles on a single charge, tops out at 40 mph, and plugs into any standard home outlet for a five-hour recharge.

But the real magic is in what it weighs. At under 992 pounds, the Amble One qualifies as an L7e vehicle in Europe, meaning it can legally drive on public roads without being classified as a full car. Getting to that weight was no accident.

"If you take a car and just shrink it, it doesn't work," says CEO Adrien Roose. The doorless, open design isn't just stylish—it's necessary to hit that weight target while keeping the vehicle safe and functional.

Hoenig says the lunar rover drove his design philosophy. The electric skateboard platform sits exposed rather than hidden beneath bodywork, with aluminum, leather, cotton, and cork making up the visible components. Large orange screws mark every removable or reconfigurable part.

The interior dashboard bar matches the diameter of motorcycle handlebars on purpose. Any standard bike accessory mounts directly onto it, so riders can attach their phones or other gear without special adapters.

The Ripple Effect

The Amble One targets a transportation gap that's been overlooked for decades. Most families don't need two $50,000 electric sedans, Roose argues. The second vehicle could be simpler, more open, more affordable, and designed specifically for short trips around town or between destinations.

The company already has 12 signed clients, over 500 vehicles committed, and more than €10 million in revenue lined up. A hardtop "Amble Two" with removable doors is planned for 2029, moving closer to conventional car territory while still serving as that practical second vehicle.

Even legacy automakers are noticing this shift. Citroen's Ami, a 28-mph microcar with a 46-mile range, has gained traction in Europe. Stellantis recently announced plans to expand capacity for supermini electric cars.

The Amble team isn't trying to replace your primary car—they're reimagining what your second one could be. For coastal paths, private estates, or just running errands around town, sometimes less really is more.

Sometimes the best way forward is to strip away everything unnecessary and get back to basics: four wheels, a skateboard platform, and the open road ahead.