16:26 26-05-2026

Malya: A Compact Urban Electric Car with Biomethane Range Extender

Discover the Malya, an innovative compact urban EV from Italy featuring a biomethane range extender to reduce range anxiety. Learn about its design and nanofactory production.

Italy has unveiled the Malya project, a compact urban electric car developed by Umberto Palermo Design in collaboration with Federmetano and Reinova. As reported earlier by Tarantas News, the car is part of the Mole Urbana initiative and aims to offer an alternative approach to city mobility.

The Malya is not a conventional electric vehicle. It is based on an electric platform that can accommodate a range extender running on biomethane or natural gas. This small internal combustion engine does not drive the wheels directly; instead, it acts as a generator to recharge the battery while driving. This setup is intended to reduce dependence on charging infrastructure and alleviate range anxiety.

The developers are betting on energy flexibility. Federmetano points out that Italy already has a well-developed network of compressed and liquefied natural gas stations, and fully renewable biomethane is also an option.

The Malya will measure under four meters in length, yet it claims to seat up to five people. Its construction will feature a tubular stainless steel frame and aluminum components, which should simplify production without the need for large stamping facilities. This approach aligns with the nanofactory concept—small, flexible production sites.

Reinova will handle the hardware and software development of the powertrain. Exact figures for power, range, and launch timeline have not been disclosed yet. Among urban electric cars, the Malya stands out for combining electric propulsion with biomethane.