Will the Citroën Ami - a tiny 28mph electric quadricycle coming to the UK - prove the ideal Cambridge runaround?
In France, anyone over the age of 14 can driven one, even without a licence.
Now the miniature electric quadricycle, the Citroën Ami, is heading to the UK, thanks to what the manufacturer called “unprecedented customer demand”.
The tiny car, with a top speed of just 28mph, is expected to cost in the region of £5,000 when it lands here in 2022.
Thanks to its 5.5kWh battery, which can be recharged in three hours, there will be no queuing for petrol with this vehicle - although you will need to plug in regularly, as its range is only 46 miles.
And with zero emissions, it will be exempt from London’s Congestion Charge and Ultra Low Emission Zone fees, and Cambridge drivers will not face charges should it be proceed with plans to introduce a Clean Air Zone in future either.
At just 2.41m long and with a tight turning circle, the French car maker says it is ideal for busy urban driving, tight city streets and tricky parking spots so familiar to Cambridge residents.
It has a rather quirky look, thanks to the body panels being the same left and right, front and rear, which makes it less expensive to repair.
Inside, it is basic but does at least have heating and somewhere to hold your phone, with a small amount of storage for smaller items.
Citroën had not originally planned to bring it here, but witnessed demand for such a vehicle and the order books have now opened.
Eurig Druce, managing director of Citroën UK, said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that Citroën Ami is launching in the UK. With cities and urban areas introducing stricter limits for vehicles, and people demanding new mobility solutions, Ami shows once again how Citroën is adapting to meet the demands of the times.”
Customers can to be one of the first to own a Citroën Ami can now put down a £250 deposit, with the first deliveries expected in spring 2022.
Electric car leasing companies and industry commentators suggest the current fuel crisis can only hasten the switch to electric vehicles.
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