Citroen Ami Cargo: Your single-seat delivery ‘friend’

Silent, efficient and environmentally-friendly deliveries have taken a step forward with the availability of the Citroen Ami Cargo in Europe, a curious-looking, fully-electric box on wheels that offers seating for one, and room for 260 litres of cargo. And so you can impress your family over dinner, ami is French for friend.

Based on the Ami microcar, which is currently sold in France, Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, the Cargo is classified as a 'quadricycle' so it can be driven by anyone over the age of 14 with, or without, a licence (in France).

Power comes from a 5.5kWh battery and a 6kW electric motor, which affords the little 'friend' a range of up to 75km with a maximum speed of 45km/h.

The Ami Cargo replaces the right-hand passenger seat with a configurable cargo compartment, the top of which can even be used as a work desk.

The storage compartments in the side and the rear of the Ami are fully customisable and a vertical separator can even be fitted for a maximum cargo area of 400 litres, which is nearly double a Toyota Corolla Hybrid hatch (217L).

At just 2.4m long and 1.4m wide, the format of the Ami Cargo isn't even its most unique proposition.

With an initial €3400 deposit ($AU5500), you can rent the Ami Cargo for just €20 per month ($AU32), or about the same as an iPhone. The Ami Cargo comes in a single grey colour, but can be personalised with a range of decals and four alloy wheel colour inserts.

Given its range and performance envelope, the Ami Cargo is designed as a 'last mile' delivery solution for busy European cities or even as a short hop tool for smaller towns.

While we are unlikely to see anything like the Ami Cargo in Australia, it is refreshing to see yet another vehicle seemingly lifted from the pages of a science-fiction story placed onto very real streets.