‘Puts a smile on people’s faces’

Renault is relaunching the Twingo, and the new electric version is already enchanting drivers.

The carmaker has launched the Renault Twingo E-Tech, a compact electric car with a playful design and flexible interior – Auto Express covers all the interesting details of this ‘cute’ car. With prices expected to start around $22,000, it could be one of the most affordable electric cars on the market.

Inspired by the Frog Eyes original from the ’90s, the new Twingo retains its quirky roots while offering modern technology, an estimated range of 163 miles and five doors (compared to the original three-door Twingo).

The exterior highlights the Twingo’s signature personality with large LED “horseshoe” lights and a compact body designed for city streets. Inside, Renault leans toward playful nostalgia—patterned carpeting, pops of color, bold red hazard buttons, and a roomy cabin that can accommodate tall passengers. In addition, the trunk can be expanded to 360 liters (nearly 13 cubic feet) of cargo space by sliding the rear seats.

With its lower price, Twingo can help more people switch to electric vehicles. Drivers who replace their engines can save on fuel and maintenance costs – just think: no oil changes or spark plugs to pay attention to. Electric vehicles are also quieter and produce no tailpipe pollution, which means better air quality and healthier communities.

While some critics have raised concerns about battery manufacturing and mineral mining, studies consistently show that electric vehicles produce far less pollution over their lifetimes than gasoline-powered vehicles. An MIT study found that gas-powered vehicles produce an average of 350 grams of carbon pollution per mile, compared with 200 grams per mile for electric vehicles charging on the U.S. grid today.

Renault designed the Twingo with budget-conscious buyers in mind, but owners can save even more when they charge at home. Home charging is generally much cheaper than public charging, often saving hundreds of dollars per year. Homeowners interested in Level 2 chargers can get a free instant estimate through Qmerit. Adding home solar will only increase those savings – EnergySage is another trusted source for quotes for anyone considering installing solar panels.

Not only do solar panels allow electric car owners to rely less on the public grid, they can also reduce some of the planet-warming pollution caused by dirty energy sources. It’s a win for the planet and your budget. Readers can explore vetted installers and potentially save up to $10,000 through our Solar Explorer.

Twingo’s debut sparked excitement. As designer Laurens van den Acker explained to Auto Express, the Twingo is a car that “puts a smile on people’s faces. The testing is done when people come in and see the new Twingo. When they leave happier than when they came in, we do well.”

One reviewer wrote: “Looks lovely and the materials look really good even if they are hard plastic, which is understandable for a car of this size and budget.” Another added: “If it drives as good as it looks and gets enough mileage for this country dweller, I’ll own one.”

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