But is this anything more than a super-charged golf cart? The name derives from ‘two’ and ‘easy’ (geddit?) but Twizy prevents accidental rhyming with ‘cheesy’. As a second car for the single commuter, it’s nigh on perfect, but even then prospective owners will need to plan the re-charging logistics if they don’t have off street parking, and remember that a pair of bicycle panniers offer more storage than the Twizy’s 31 litres.

Although there is a driver airbag and side bars, there will be the same sort of safety concerns that attend all vehicles of this stripe. Only time will tell if the market interprets the Twizy as a budget car or a very expensive ‘safe’ scooter.

For our money, it’s a credible, Renault-backed package with a brilliant but expensive battery solution aimed at the affluent trendies in large cities around the world. But until public re-charging infrastructure catches up, the Twizy will remain a vehicle with niche appeal – potentially for trendy, image and environmental conscious small firms that want to make an impact beyond their size.

We think it will have unexpected appeal to business settings like airports and theme parks, and find roles in intensive urban roles such as urgent courier delivery, where low overall costs are paramount. Larger companies will drive cheaper battery leasing deals with Renault.

Renault Twizy  – the low-down