this post was submitted on 22 Nov 2023
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Haven't you've heard! Priuses are cool now. Who knew a major face lift and .5 more liters would change public opinions so much.
#Glovebox π
Priuses (Prii?) aren't cool, the Citroen Ami is the new cool
As long as you're in Europe. Those things could be useful in North America but I can't see how they will ever get approved in Canada or in the US. I don't know about micro cars in Mexico and their laws but in Canada, everything between a full fledged car and an e-bike is considered "too dangerous, unsafe, not serious, toy-like" and is generally forbidden to go on roads and/or bike paths.
For example, in Quebec, it's illegal to use an e-bike under 18 years old without a scooter licence. So the Ami has no chance at all here, unfortunately.
If the Smart got approval, why can't the Citroen Ami?
They are very different "vehicles". The class which allows Ami to operate in most European countries does not exist in most North American jurisdictions. A Smart is classified as a car and is road legal but an Ami is considered a quadricycle and as such is usually not considered road legal in most of North America.
Where I live it's not considered as any type of valid vehicle. If it sticks to quadricycle, the law is going to require pedals, limit it to 25 kph and a helmet for the passengers.
There are places in the US that have some "neighbourhood EV" laws that make these legal on local roads, but it's far from being common.
So if you are successful in importing one, you will most likely only be able to use it on private land.
Also, no insurance company is going to want to insure it.
And, to top ot all, the dealer, Stellantis, is apparently much more interested in selling pick-ups to North Americans.
sources:
https://citroenvie.com/the-ami-100-electric-isnt-coming-to-us-but-get-ready-for-sarit/
https://www.motorbiscuit.com/electric-citroen-ami-coming-us-cant-buy/
My Prius is not cool. It just saves me money.