Review of the Paxster eCompact Air

Written by journalist Odd Arne Ruud – Published July 17th 2024 In Sarpsborg Arbeiderblad and Fredrikstad Blad.

Paxster buys back the postal vehicles and rebuilds them into something resembling a UTV or ATV. The four-wheeler has an electric range of up to 69 miles. The Paxster eCompact Air is being manufactured in Sarpsborg, Norway and will be distributed across Europe. Photo: Odd Arne Ruud

You might have noticed them in your own neighbourhood?

For many years, these small red electric vehicles have been delivering post and parcels to homes across Europe in an eco-friendly manner.

The factory at Kampenes in Sarpsborg has produced over 4,000 vehicles in the past 12 years.

An alternative to ATVs

Paxster has now launched the eCompact Air, a fully electric four-wheeler that closely resembles a conventional ATV or UTV.

This is not a vehicle for the most challenging terrains, but rather an alternative for those looking to get around in an eco-friendly manner at their workplace or in nearby areas. If you’re planning to do serious off-road driving, the Paxster is not suitable; in such cases, you should consider a traditional ATV with four-wheel drive and a petrol engine.

A work tool

The cargo bed has a payload capacity of 240 kg, the vehicle can reach a top speed of up to 37 mph, and it has a range of up to 69 mile.

The target audience typically includes caretakers, industrial sites, and other locations where work is conducted over large areas.

There is an option to install a 3000-watt inverter, allowing you to power 220-volt tools and equipment directly from the vehicle.

Quiet and silent

The eCompact Air is nearly silent, making it an ideal choice for those working in areas where minimal noise is essential, such as cemeteries, campsites, festivals, and equestrian centres. The only sound you’ll hear is the tyres on gravel.

With multiple attachment points at the front and rear, it’s possible to connect a trailer and a snow plough. Additional features include heated handles and a winch, offering extra convenience and versatility.

Let traffic pass

The open Paxster is fun to drive. You feel the wind and a close connection to nature. The four-wheeler has excellent road grip on asphalt. The speed isn’t particularly high; the version we drove had a top speed of 45 km/h. It’s worth considering that you might slow down other traffic. On longer trips, it’s a good idea to let other vehicles pass.

The Paxster has a fully electric motor with no gears, making it very easy to drive. To reverse, you simply hold a small lever on the handlebar.

Sensible reuse

A few years ago, Paxster launched a programme called 2ndDrive, which involves refurbishing used vehicles. In essence, they buy back postal vehicles that have been in use for four to six years, completely renovate them, and then sell them again.