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Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
@ytimesmotoring
12:19 PM 1st March 2020
cars

Bonjour Mon Ami – Urban Mobility From Citroen

 
This year will see a whole new generation of electric cars hit the streets and for the urban motorist, this is undoubtedly a good thing. Councils are working hard to improve air quality in the inner cities, which means slowly rolling out ever more draconian measures to persuade us to abandon our combustion-engined cars.

There is a problem in that most electric cars carry a price premium. The new MINI Electric is about launch with a price close to £25,000 with the Honda e close on its heels at around £1,500 more. Skoda’s CITIGOe iV comes in at a more reasonable £16,955.

All three are likely to spend their time pounding city streets and should be able to journey 100 miles plus with little difficulty.

Innovative French manufacturer Citroen can now present their solution, so behold the 100% electric Ami. Inspired by the AMI ONE Concept, shown at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, the Ami project has become a reality in under a year.

Citroen says it is a practical response to new mobility expectations for short journeys. Let’s look at the facts…

The launch price in France is from just 6,000 Euros which includes an ecological bonus of 900 Euros. There is also a long-term rental option from 19.99 Euros per month after an initial payment of 2,644 Euros. Headline figures undoubtedly…

Powered by a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery which sits under a flat floor, recharging takes place via an on-board electric cable.

Intended to be plugged into a domestic socket, charge time is said to be around 3 hours. There is also the option to use public charging too, but who wants to do that?

The Ami’s range is a modest 43 miles, enough for many to go about their daily business.

Inside, there is space for two full sized adults to travel in comfort, though luggage space is modest. A panoramic roof bathes the cabin in natural light.

There will be plenty of opportunities to customize your new friend with six coloured accessory packs available.

In France the Ami can be driven from the age of fourteen, somewhat worrying, but most markets will require the driver to be at least 16 years old.

At the time of writing, there is no confirmation that the Ami will be coming to the UK, but I suspect there may well be some who will attempt to personally import one. I could be tempted!

Fast Facts

Citroen Ami
Classed as a light quadricycle
Top speed 28mph
Range 43 miles
Recharge time 3 hours
Just 2.41 metres long
7.2 metres turning circle
From 6,000 Euros in France