Nowyear oldscandriveRenaultTwizyEVinFrance

Now 14 year-olds can drive Renault Twizy EV in France

Renault Twizy EV

Thanks to a new legislation in the European Union, 14 year-olds in France, can now drive their own electric vehicle around town. Renault’s Twizy EV is at the forefront of this new legislation and will surely set the wheels rolling at Renault showrooms in France. The Renault Twizy EV was first unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It might not look like it at first, but this tiny little electric urban runabout, actually seats two people, the passenger sitting right behind the driver. Renault says the Twizy has a turn radius of 3.4-metres, making it very practical and nimble in urban environments.

Renault Twizy EV

The Twizy is a light quadricycle by design and looks the part.

The Renault Twizy EV weighs less than 500 kg and thus, its quadricycle tag is apt and does justice to this urban delight. This EV has a 100 kg battery pack and provides a maximum range of 97 km (60 mi). This battery can be charged from your average 220V outlet and it takes only 3 hours to reach full charge. The standard Twizy comes with a 15kW (20 horsepower) electric motor that also makes 57 torques, which means that this light quad can get to a top speed of 75 km/h. However, the teenage version of this EV, the Twizy 45, is the one that’s been allowed by the EU for 14 year-olds. The Twizy 45 is a slower version of the standard Renault Twizy and has a top whack of only 45 km/h.

Renault Twizy EV

Don’t let its miniature size fool you, it’s got more safety kit than an average Indian hatchback.

However, not all 14 year-olds would be handed the keys to the Twizy 45. Before any teenager is allowed to drive one of these chic EVs in France, they got to pass some tests and acquire the BSR (Brevet de Sécurité Routière) road safety certificates. Although smaller in size than the tiniest family hatchback, this EV has an impressive list of safety equipments for the 14 year-old. Niceties include an airbag, double seatbelts, disc brakes and a occupant protective cell. Renault say that the Twizy EV is better for teenagers than two-wheelers, as far as safety is concerned.

Bicycle

Something most Indian teenagers get for their 14th birthday, a bicycle.

However, if this was India, would you be relaxed knowing that a teenager with raging teenage hormones is behind the wheel of such a thing. Would you trust the judgement made by a kid who would normally have a bicycle, instead of a 45 km/h quadricycle? Yes, we realise that times are fast changing and that today’s tech-savvy generation has the capacity to pilot a space-ship from their X-Box controllers. But, even in a country like France, we wonder how many adults with proper driving licences and experience, would actually accept this new EU legislation without any qualms. That said, we aren’t against this in anyway and are quite sure that the road safety certificate tests are rigorous and thorough. Would you support such a legislation if it were to come to our shores. Would you buy such an EV for your 14 year-old? Let us know in the comments section, below.

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