Citroën Ami is a fully electric compact vehicle designed for the city, giving people an economical green alternative to electric bicycles or public transport. Ami was designed to appeal to the new generation of environmentally conscious people, offering electric mobility accessible to everyone.
Ami falls under the category of a quadricycle, which means it can be driven without a driver’s license by anyone 14 years or older in France, and by anyone 16 years or older for anyone else in Europe. This feature makes it perfect for someone just learning how to drive.
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The Ami will be sold exclusively online for a cost of €6,000 incl. VAT. There are other options for buying. Ami will be part of a Free2Move car-sharing format for a monthly subscription fee of €9.90, you will be free to use the Ami’s for around €0.26/min, with no long term commitment. Also available will be a long-term rental option, which will include an initial payment of €2,644, an ecological bonus of €900 including VAT, and then €19.99 per month.
The new Citroën Ami will be available for purchase online and can be delivered directly to your home. They will also be accessible at Citroën dealerships, and at different shops. The French department store chain Fnac will also be featuring the Ami.
The compact Ami is “ultra-compact” at just 2.41 meters and has a turning radius of 7.20 meters, making it very easy to navigate through busy city streets and find a parking spot.
Ami is equipped with a 5.5kWh lithium-ion battery, with up to 47 miles (75km) of range. The Ami can easily be recharged in 3 hours from a standard domestic socket, and will also feature the ability to change out the battery. The Ami is capable of speeds up to 26mph.
Ami’s are not just for the young hip eco-friendly consumer. The opposite opening doors are designed for ease of accessibility. The driver’s side opens from a rear hinge and the passenger door opens from a front hinge. These features along with a low top speed, and ease of mobility and parking, would make them ideal vehicles for the elderly who would still like to get around the city.
Inside the Ami, the passenger seat is set slightly further back than the driver, allowing extra legroom for taller passengers or storage space on the floor. Ami’s glass roof offers a panoramic view, helping to reduce any feeling of confinement. The dashboard is set up for smartphone compatibility to allow the driver to simply plug in for listening and satellite navigation options.
Citroën designer Pierre Leclercq describes the Ami: “The project is aside from cars – it has to be special. It doesn’t have to carry the same brand identity as a broader line-up.” The company website further describes Citroën’s intentions with the Ami; “a practical response to new mobility expectations for short journeys [providing] easier access to city centers, micro-mobility for everyone and a real alternative to scooters, bicycles, mopeds and public transport, and at reasonable costs”.
This will certainly offer those whole love to use bicycles an alternative when there is inclement weather such as rain or cold, a zero-emissions alternative for their inner-city travel needs.
