Renault Twizy – The New Face of The Seoul Post Office
Come rain or shine or snow, Renault will deliver! At least, that is what South Korea’s Postmaster-General has set out to prove. Perhaps the quirkiest commercial car on the road today, the Renault Twizy is not something we would ever expect to see, rubbing shoulders with South African bakkies and jeeps. But the miniscule electric runabout might be exactly what Seoul’s post office needs.
In a joint venture with Korea’s Postal Service, its Ministry of Science and its Ministry of Environment, Renault-Samsung Motors have set out to revolutionize last-mile postage and package delivery in and around the capital, Seoul. This is part of a transformative environmental agreement reached between the government branches, to reduce the overall fine particles (pollution) in South Korea by 2020.
Previously, the postal service was forced to rely on a fleet of ten thousand aging motorcycles to affect its deliveries. This was largely necessitated by the heavy foot- and vehicle traffic, combined with the choked- and narrow streets common to the city center. Simply put, no other vehicle could navigate the obstacles standing between the post office and its customers.
Enter the Twizy. Officially classified as a micro-electric vehicle, the in-line two-seater is technically a quadricycle – although it does not look or feel that much different from a Smart Fortwo. The lithium-ion battery powers a one-speed, seventeen-horsepower (238cc/289cc) electric motor and produces zero emissions. In addition to regenerative braking, 13” alloy wheels and a windscreen demister, the Twizy boasts 4-point seatbelts, a driver airbag and an impact-resistant tubular frame.
By jettisoning the second passenger seat (in the Twizy Cargo) a boot-space of 180 litres is created, which can hold an additional 75kg. Perfect for take-away deliveries, carry-on luggage, a toolbox or, indeed, postal packages.
(As an aside, it is interesting to note that the Twizy has been classified as a ‘car-derived van’ by the United Kingdom’s tax revenue service, allowing businesses to reclaim their VAT on purchases.)
The Twizy reaches optimal charge faster than most smartphones. Three and a half hours plugged into a normal 230V outlet allows a range of just under 70 kilometres. More than enough to navigate a busy city centre. This is helped further by never having to circle the block looking for a parking spot. The Twizy fits virtually in any sized space.
It remains to be seen what effect this change will have on the effectiveness of the Seoul postal service. One thing is for certain: her postmen and -women will have a lot more reason to take the scenic route. Let’s hope they remember to deliver some packages along the way.
Unless your favoured method of moving things from A to B is brown paper and triple-twist twine, come on down and put your stamp on a Renault today.
