UK's First Electric Twizy Sold to Bournemouth Local
1 August 2011
The UK’s first Renault Twizy has been sold by Westover Renault in Poole – even though it’s not yet available to see ‘in the flesh’ or drive. The Twizy is a unique about-town electric vehicle, designed to comfortably seat two adults.
Mr Richard Dean of Bournemouth – an innovator, eager to be at the forefront of motoring technology – was so sold on Renault’s concept having read online and media reviews, that he has paid a deposit to secure himself a Twizy the moment it hits the streets. He has ordered a high-end Technic trim on his white Twizy, which he is due to collect from Westover Renault on Wallisdown Road in January 2012.
“I’ll be driving this car all over town from the minute I collect it and I’m much looking forward to it already,” says Mr Dean. “’I’ve been really impressed by what I’ve read in the press and on websites about the Twizy and so I got my order in as soon as I possibly could. The thought of no road tax and no fuel bills is very appealing, as is the prospect of turning on a sixpence and being able to sneak into the smallest of parking spaces!
“I shall be trying to persuade my friends to ‘get electric’, encouraging them to jump in and check it out for themselves.”
On board the Twizy, the driver and passenger sit one behind the other as they would on a scooter or motorbike. The revolutionary two-seater will cost just over £7,000, with the battery leased at a charge of £40 a month. It has a top speed of 50 mph and can travel around 60 miles on a charge (it takes only 3.5 hours to fully power the Twizy from a standard domestic electricity supply).
Chris Swain, Westover Renault’s Brand Manager, said: “It’s testament to the inquisitive nature of local people that the first Twizy was sold in Dorset. We’ve had a lot of enquiries already – this promises to be a great little city car with a really wide appeal. This is the future of motoring for much of the population – certainly those that are town or city-based – so anyone who’s interested in finding out more is very welcome to pop into the showroom for a chat.”
People who simply wish to register their interest – and therefore be amongst the first in line to snap up one of the first Twizys should they choose to do so - can pay a £20 deposit. They will then be contacted again in priority order when the car reaches the showrooms to see if they wish to place a firm order.
The first in Renault’s electric line-up, the Twizy will be followed by the Kangoo (the first all-electric van), the Fluence (a saloon car) and the Zoe (a radical electric supermini) – all due to be launched before the end of 2012.
