Renault Twizy

Country of production

The Renault Twizy was produced in Spain, at Renault’s Valladolid plant, and distributed across Europe  as an urban electric quadricycle.

Market launch date

• May 2011: opening of reservations and communication of European commercial positioning.

• Early 2012: start of first deliveries/availability in Europe.

• Late March 2012: start of showroom availability (commercial launch phase).

• September 2023: end of production and progressive exit from price lists, with the concept passing on to newer group quadricycles.

Facelifts and key updates

• No mid-cycle facelift comparable to a passenger-car facelift (front-end/body panels/structure) was introduced in an official and unambiguous way across the whole range: Twizy kept the same technical layout and core architecture throughout its lifecycle.

• The most relevant changes were mainly range and use-case updates: the introduction of trims, colour combinations and accessories, and above all the Twizy Cargo variant/solution (micro-transport setup with a dedicated load compartment in place of the rear seat).

The Twizy is an electric quadricycle with two seats in tandem (one behind the other), positioned halfway between a scooter and a car: compact, very light, and designed for the city. The cabin is “open” (with doors and weather solutions offered as accessories/depending on model year and trims), the turning circle is very tight, and driving is straightforward thanks to a single-speed transmission. The historic range was mainly split between the Twizy 45 (light quadricycle, limited to 45 km/h) and the Twizy 80 (heavy quadricycle, up to 80 km/h), both using the same roughly 6.1 kWh battery and household-socket charging.

Powertrain and performance

Note: real-world range varies significantly with driving style, route, and temperature; practical values can be lower than the urban homologation figures.

Dimensions and capacity

Main trims and prices 
(Model no longer on sale: the prices below are historical launch references and/or indicative; today the market is mainly used, with wide variability depending on battery condition, year, and accessories.)

(Practical note: on the used market, Twizy prices typically span a very wide range, often from around €4,000 upwards depending on year, condition, and equipment.)

Maintenance and early service (indicative costs)
(Estimates for electric quadricycles: strong variability by network, city, and tires.)

Pros

• Minimal footprint and high agility: ideal for urban traffic and parking.

• Two philosophies (45 and 80): L6e accessibility vs broader L7e usability.

• Simple household charging and highly simplified mechanical layout.

• Iconic product: a recognizable and functional “micro-vehicle” for short commuting.

• Cargo variant: a concrete solution for city micro-logistics.

Cons

• Comfort and weather protection are inevitably limited (open layout, even if accessory-equipped).

• Performance is coherent with the category: the 45 is strictly urban; the 80 remains a quadricycle.

• Limited standard cargo capacity (31–33 L trunk).

• Road-use rules: it is not a car, and access to certain roads can be limited by category/top speed.

• Out of production: availability and support depend on dealer network/parts and the local market.

In summary

The Renault Twizy was one of the most original interpretations of urban electric mobility: very light, compact, and designed to minimize city friction (space, parking, manoeuvres). The choice between 45 and 80 was the real usage fork: the first for purely city trips, the second for a more flexible role. It did not receive a classic mid-cycle facelift, but evolved through trims and practical solutions (especially Cargo). Today it is assessed mainly as a used purchase, with careful attention to vehicle condition and equipment.

Verdict — Renault Twizy

Urban electric quadricycle with 2 tandem seats · Historic versions: Twizy 45 (L6e) and Twizy 80 (L7e) + Cargo variant · Motors: 4 kW (5 hp) (45) / 13 kW (17 hp) (80) · Torque: 33 Nm / 57 Nm · 6.1 kWh battery · Type-approval range ECE-15: 120 km (45) / 100 km (80) · Top speed: 45 km/h or 80 km/h · 0–45 km/h: 9.9 s (45) / 6.1 s (80) · Claimed full charge: up to 3 h 30 min from a 220 V household socket · Turning diameter curb-to-curb: 6.8 m · Discontinued: it is available used only · Used-market pricing (late 2025): typically ~€2,300–€9,900 · 

In 2025, the Renault Twizy is no longer a “new product”: it is a four-wheel micromobility object best evaluated as a niche urban choice in the used market. It remains unique in concept (2 tandem seats, extremely small footprint, simple driving) and in practical effectiveness in city contexts: “impossible” parking becomes possible, agility is high, and energy costs are low. At the same time, its limits are structural: only partial weather protection (doors and upper closures were often optional), a lack of car-like comfort (heating/air-con are not comparable to a city car), and—above all—an operating perimeter constrained by quadricycle rules and speed limits.

If you consider it today, the decision is fairly binary: Twizy 45 if use is pure urban and accessibility (including very young drivers) is the priority; Twizy 80 if you need a bit more flowing-traffic capability (still staying off ring roads/motorways) and greater versatility.

Key technical points:

• Homologation and driving eligibility (general context):

  • Twizy 45: L6e, top speed 45 km/h; drivable with AM licence (typically from age 14).

  • Twizy 80: L7e, top speed 80 km/h; typically requires B1 (from age 16) or B.

  • Road restrictions: not permitted on motorways and, in general, on major fast roads where quadricycles are prohibited (always check signage and local rules).

• Powertrain and performance:

  • 4 kW / 33 Nm (45) and 13 kW / 57 Nm (80).

  • 0–45 km/h: 9.9 s (45) / 6.1 s (80).

• Battery, range and charging:

  • Energy on board: 6.1 kWh.

  • Type-approval range ECE-15: 120 km (45) / 100 km (80) (real use can vary widely with driving style, route, and temperature).

  • Charging: plug into a 220 V socket; up to 3 h 30 min claimed for a full charge (in cold conditions, times can be longer and range lower).

• Maneuverability and footprint:

  • Curb-to-curb turning diameter 6.8 m.

  • Typical “micro” dimensions: length about 2.34 m; very favorable for parking.

• Practicality and variants:

  • 2 tandem seats; historic options/accessories: wing doors, upper closures, “semi-enclosed” solutions.

  • Twizy Cargo: cargo box in place of the rear seat (for micro-logistics).

Who it is for

Urban residents with short, repetitive trips and absolute priority on parking, agility, and low running costs. It makes particular sense as a second urban vehicle or a dedicated last-mile solution (especially in Cargo form).

Who should consider alternatives

If you need a true car replacement (comfort, full weather protection, safety and versatility as an M1 passenger car), or if you often use faster-flow roads, a conventional city car or a small “full car” EV is more coherent.

Recommended configuration

• Twizy 45 if your use is pure urban and you want maximum simplicity/compatibility (including younger drivers, where allowed).

• Twizy 80 if you want a bit more light extra-urban capability, while keeping realistic expectations about comfort and circulation rules.

• In both cases, when buying used:

  • prioritize examples with doors/closures and “winter” equipment if you use it daily;

  • carefully check battery/charging condition and equipment, because these impact real experience more than the “version name”.