Frankfurt green news: Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept
Renault has gone huge at Frankfurt with no less than four electric vehicle concepts as part of its goal to offer electric cars in the near future. The Twizy is the smallest model in the concept range.
What's all the fuss about?
Renault is looking to replace the ubiquitous scooter as the best way to get around town with a zero-emissions two-seater. Like a scooter, the Twizy seats its driver and passenger one behind the other. It's also narrow at 1.3m wide and has a compact turning circle of just 3.0m, so the Twizy has all of the advantages of a scooter, but with year-round weather protection. It can also cover 100 miles on a single charge and has a top speed of 47mph.
What makes it so green?
The 20bhp electric motor can be charged from any domestic power socket, so the Twizy creates no emissions while it's being driven. It's also very quiet thanks to its electric power source, so noise pollution is also reduced. The compact size of the Twizy also means it helps reduce congestion for its own driver and others around it.
When can I buy one?
Sooner than you might think. Renault says the Twizy could be in production and on sale by 2012 as an electric alternative to the scooter. There's no word on a possible price, but expect any production model to look less radical than the show car.
Frankfurt green news: Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept pictures
