Michelotti LEM

The Michelotti LEM, an abbreviation for “Mobile Electronic Laboratory,” emerged as a pioneering electric city car during the collaborative efforts of Giovanni Michelotti and engineer Gianni Rogliatti between 1973 and 1974. Rogliatti, a skilled engineer, meticulously designed and constructed the frame and mechanics of the vehicle with his own hands, while Michelotti, renowned for his design prowess, lent his expertise to craft an aluminum bodywork that was both exceptionally lightweight and remarkably versatile. A distinctive feature of the LEM was its innovative wheel arrangement, forming a diamond shape. This configuration included a central rear traction wheel, supported by two lateral stability wheels, enhancing maneuverability and stability, especially in urban settings. The car’s doors opened in a gull-wing fashion, ingeniously hinged at the sides of the windshield, providing not only a visually striking design element but also a practical solution that saved space when entering and exiting the vehicle. In its pursuit of efficiency and weight reduction, the LEM featured minimal glass components, with only the windshield made of traditional glass. Plexiglas windows and a rear window were incorporated to further reduce the vehicle’s overall weight without compromising safety or functionality. Powering the LEM were advanced 48-volt batteries, which propelled the vehicle with quiet efficiency, making it an early advocate for environmentally friendly urban mobility solutions. The LEM made its public debut at the prestigious Turin Motor Show in 1974, where it garnered attention for its innovative design and forward-thinking engineering. Today, the legacy of the Michelotti LEM lives on as a testament to the ingenuity and vision of its creators. Following Gianni Rogliatti’s passing in 2012, his wife generously donated the LEM to the National Automobile Museum in Turin, where it stands as a cherished artifact, commemorating its role in advancing electric vehicle technology and urban mobility concepts.