A tiny electric van with a range of 47 miles might seem like an unusual idea, but that’s not stopped Citroen which has revealed the My Ami Cargo LCV.
Designed for last-mile delivery service providers and other business users operating in urban areas, where speed limits are often restricted and space is always at a premium. The My Ami Cargo is powered by an emission-free electric motor and measures just 2.41 metres long, making it an ideal fit for the city.
Citroen My Ami Cargo: Payload and Capacity
Initially built as a two-seater vehicle for urban mobility, the Cargo version sees one half of the interior replaced by a 260-litre module that can accommodate up to 140kg of goods. Combined with space already available in the Ami, that leaves a total cargo area of up to 400 litres. That’s a little less than you’ll be able to fit into the back of a Renault Megane.
A secondary shelf unit can hold up to 40kg and has been designed to work either as a storage unit or as a mobile desk. It also features an A4 size cut-out that can hold forms or other items of paperwork firmly in place. The shelf is adjustable and can be moved towards the driver for better access, tilted towards the passenger door, or be removed completely to maximise the storage space available.
The cabin is split in two, with a partition between the driver and cargo area positioned to ensure the driver is protected and can enjoy driving in comfort. The partition’s height is calibrated to preserve 360° visibility for total safety.
At the rear of the cabin, a secure storage area can accommodate valuable items such as smartphones, sunglasses, or wallets.
Citroen My Ami Cargo: Electric Powertrain
The Ami Cargo features the same 5.5kWh lithium battery pack found in the Ami passenger vehicle, connected to an 8hp motor. Yes, that’s eight horsepower, which means that performance won’t be worrying anybody with a hot hatch.
Limited to just 28mph, there’s enough poke to keep up with urban traffic, with performance off the line surprisingly sprightly. We’ve driven the regular passenger version and found it to be more than capable of spending a few hours zipping around London, so there’s no reason to suspect that the cargo variant will suffer as long as it’s used in the right environment.
The small battery pack gives a range of 47 miles, which doesn’t sound much but, again, for use in the city is likely to be more than enough. Three hours of driving around London proved that the Ami has enough juice to drive for five hours or so, which should see you through your working day.
Charging it up is as simple as plugging it into any three-pin socket. It’ll take three hours to fully charge a completely dead battery, and will cost around 85p.
Citroen My Ami Cargo: Urban Sized
Citroen’s My Ami Cargo could be the perfect last-mile delivery vehicle, at least for slightly bulkier items. The purchase cost might put off a Deliveroo rider, but florists, bakeries, and even the likes of electricians and locksmiths could justify looking at the Cargo.
It comes in at just 2.41m in length and is only 1.52m high. However, while its 1.39m width makes it look (and feel) like a toy car, it’s frustratingly just too wide to zip between lanes of traffic, so you’ll be stuck in a queue along with everybody else.
That said, it’ll still fit down narrower spots than any car, while the turning circle of 7.2m means it’ll spin around on any road without needing to perform a three-point turn.
Citroen My Ami Cargo: Pricing and Availability
Splash the cash and a My Ami Cargo could be yours for €7,390 before any grants, which is around £6,400. Why a price in Euros? There are currently no plans to import the Ami Cargo into the country, so you’re limited to trying to get hold of one in France and bring it over, where orders will open in June.
Citroen has had a hugely positive response from the public for the Ami, and is asking those keen on the Cargo to register their interest with them. With enough demand, there’s a possibility that the work needed to produce a version suitable for the UK could be carried out.
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