May 1, 2012. Copyright 2012, Graphic News. All rights reserved Renault Twizy: practical, affordable electric commuter vehicle By Neil Winton LONDON, May 1, Graphic News: It has a silly name and looks ridiculous, but the Renault Twizy could be the first electric vehicle to sell on its merits and without taxpayer-subsidised inducements. Sales of battery-only electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf barely register on either side of the Atlantic as car buyers blanch at the prices -- around twice as much as a similar-sized regularly powered car -- and recoil from the unacceptable and unpredictable range. Manufacturers have mistakenly tried to build electric cars that purport to be normal cars which just happen to have batteries. These are going nowhere, until the technology halves the price and at least doubles the range. If manufacturers were a little less ambitious and created a unique, affordable, little electric utility vehicle which could get you to the office and back or down to the shops, but not much more -- think of a glorified golf cart -- might buyers embrace that with more enthusiasm? The Renault Twizy might be that vehicle, and it's on sale now in Europe, priced from £6,690/Û8,174 (6,690 pounds / 8,174 euros), excluding the battery which can be rented for about £55/Û67 (55 pounds / 67 euros) a month. The Twizy is more like a motorbike with a roof, and four wheels. The passenger sits behind the driver, pillion-style. The electric motor is set just beneath the driver, powering the rear wheels. Renault says that although the Twizy looks vulnerable, a protective cell surrounds the occupants. The driver has a front air-bag and a four-point safety harness, while the passenger has a three-point belt. The Twizy is termed a "quadricycle" which means that many EU safety provisions are not applicable. Renault says the Twizy is safer than a two or three wheeler, but that's not saying much. The electric motor propels the car from rest to 30mph (48km/h) in about six seconds, and on to a top speed of 50mph (80km/h). Disc brakes all round bring you to a halt quickly. There is an automatic gearbox. The battery is under the driver's feet. The 62-mile (100km) range would make this an ideal commuter vehicle, which can be recharged with a standard 220v domestic power plug in three and a half hours. There is a less powerful version which can be driven without a driving license. Doors are a £550/Û672 (550 pounds / 672 euros) option and offer limited protection from the rain and wind. The Renault-Nissan alliance has allocated about £3.3 billion (Û4 billion) for the development of battery-only cars. Renault has already launched the Kangoo van and the Fluence saloon. A smaller Zoe car will appear later in the year. So far, electric car buyers have been stand-offish to say the least. Western Europeans only boughtÊ11,563 electric cars in 2011 for a market share of 0.09 per cent, according to Automotive Industry Data. Across Europe, each sale of an electric vehicle often attracts a government handout of roughly £5,000/Û6,100 (5,000 pounds / 6,100 euros), but not the Twizy as it is not a proper car. Maybe, but you can see why commuters might want to buy one. /ENDS Renault Twizy: Engine -- electric motor Power -- 13kW/17 hp at up to 9,000 rpm Torque -- 57 Nm Battery -- lithium ion 6.1 kWh Gearbox -- automatic Drive -- rear-wheels Acceleration -- 0-30mph-45km/h 6.2 seconds Top Speed -- 50mph-80km/h C02 -- zero locally Range -- 62 miles Suspension -- Pseudo-McPherson/ Pseudo-McPherson Service Intervals -- 18,000 miles/one year Warranty -- 3 years unlimited, 4 years 100,000 miles Length -- 2,338mm Width ĞÊ 1,337mm Height -- 1,454mm Wheelbase -- 1,686mm Weight -- 474kg Boot capacity -- 31 litres Price from £6,690 (pounds)-Û8,174 (euros)