Mobilize Duo: Renault Twizy alternative revealed

Renault has mentioned goodbye to the Twizy, and good day to the Mobilize Duo.

Having teased the automotive in 2021, mobility-focused Renault sub-brand Mobilize has confirmed what’s going to energy its compact metropolis EV – and its stripped-out cargo model, dubbed the Bento.

Energy comes from an electrical motor mounted on the rear axle. Within the base Duo 45, that motor is restricted to a high velocity of 45km/h. Which means in elements of Europe it may be piloted by unlicensed drivers as younger as 14.

The Duo 80 will hit 80km/h, and requires a full licence.

Vary is prone to sit at round 140km, though that determine has been calculated utilizing a brand new commonplace designed for electrical motorbikes.

Just like the Twizy, the Duo options two seats mounted inline. At 2.43m lengthy, 1.3m huge and 1.46m tall, the Duo is longer and wider than the automotive it replaces, which ought to liberate extra inside house.

Each the entrance and rear bumper are equivalent to make repairs easier and cheaper, and the automotive has been constructed with 50 per cent recycled supplies. On the finish of its life, Renault says 95 per cent of the Duo might be recycled.

As for the Bento? It loses the rear seat in favour of an enormous backpack, which holds as much as 700 litres of package.

Inside, the Duo incorporates a stripped-back dashboard. Its related providers might be up to date over the air, as Mobilize is concentrated on ride-sharing and fleet operators – though the corporate does point out non-public gross sales in its media supplies as effectively.

It’ll be out there in Duo guise from late in 2023, with the Bento to comply with in 2024.

What’s Mobilize?

Mobilize joins Renault, Alpine and Dacia, and can provide its personal purpose-built fashions.

It’ll be helmed by Clotilde Delbos, who can be Groupe Renault’s chief monetary officer and deputy CEO.

Every automobile within the Mobilize vary will probably be all-electric and can fulfil completely different wants, together with car-sharing and ride-hailing providers and last-mile supply.

As a brand new mobility model, Mobilize will provide {hardware} within the type of automobiles, and the software program used to work together with them.

It’ll be supported by RCI Financial institution and Providers, who’ll assist present leasing, subscription and pay-as-you-go choices to customers.

Leveraging Renault’s dealership community, Mobilize automobiles will probably be simply accessible in Europe whether or not that be for a fast drive up the street or with a multi-year subscription.

Mobilize’s targets are to scale back the hole between automotive utilization and value, because it says automobiles are presently left unused 90 per cent of the time, and each contribute to a zero CO2 footprint and enhance residual worth.

The model can be creating a common charging move and app for purchasers in Europe.