Renault has confirmed that its striking successor to the Twizy will come to the UK. The two-seater Duo is expected to launch next year and is set to start a rivalry with its French adversary, the Citroen Ami. 

Unlike the Twizy, which was sold alongside the brand’s other all-electric offerings, the Duo will be part of Renault’s Mobilize sub-brand which is primarily aimed at car sharing operations and businesses looking to offer urban mobility to subscribers. Renault itself operates a car-sharing scheme in Madrid and Paris called Zity, which allows people to use the car for single journeys across the city, with all transactions and operational processes handled via a dedicated app. Users can borrow and drop off their car at any parking spot within the coverage area. 

Renault has yet to confirm launch timings or which UK city will be the first to see the two-seater on its streets. Citroen already operates a similar car-sharing scheme in mainland Europe with its Ami, which is expected to go on sale in the UK later this year. 

Users will be able to book and start the Duo via a car-sharing app

Like the Ami, the Duo is classed as an electric quadricycle and has been designed to be a low-cost, low-maintenance car that can withstand the rigours of urban life. Like the Ami, the Duo features interchangeable bumpers that reduce production costs and are patterned to hide minor damage. The seats come with removable covers that are easier to clean than conventional facings, while the battery pack has been designed to be swappable. This means the Duo can be quickly prepared for other customers while the original pack is put on charge.

Renault has yet to confirm battery size or range details, but these are expected to be similar to that of the Citroen Ami, which comes with a 5.5kWh pack and a range of 44 miles. Thanks to its lightweight construction, the Renault is likely to match its French counterpart’s efficiency of 8 miles per kWh. A special cargo-carrying variant, badged Bento, is expected to be offered at the same time. 

Private customers wanting to buy a Duo will have to wait until Renault finalises plans for the Duo’s introduction. Although Citroen does offer private buyers the chance to purchase the Ami outright, Renault is thought to prefer the subscription and car-sharing models. However, should there be a significant interest in outright purchases, the French firm may well reconsider.

Watch our used Renault Twizy video [HERE]
Read our Renault Twizy review [HERE] 

Watch our Citroen Ami review [HERE]
Read our Citroen Ami review [HERE]

Clever design means front and rear bumpers are identical. Battery packs can be swapped out in minutes