The Smallest Electric Motor Ever In A Production EV

Around the turn of the millennium, cities started to become self-aware about the proliferation of carbon-based mobility for both personal and commercial use, which led to research and development into electricity as a city-centric vehicular power source. Early electric cars[1], like the TH!NK City, powered by 20-30 kW electric motors, set the stage for today’s microcars in various parts of the globe. But development soon turned to the notion that many vehicles were used for short-trip commuting usually by just one person, and European companies began to explore single- and two-seat simple-propulsion concepts.

Their popularity led to enclosed cabin motorbike-like vehicles driven by tiny electric motors, most putting out less than 15 kW of power, and they quickly gained widespread acceptance partly because of loopholes in their licensing requirements. Encouraged by the potential to transition away from ICE-powered motorbikes, they became common sights on just about every continent, including North America, though considerably less common. Although EVs have since become commonplace and evolved in dimensions and the size of their motors[2], there are still some small-motor EVs performing a variety of duties in congested cities around the world.

Some are powered by very small motors, but none match this EV’s 5-hp powertrain.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Renault and other authoritative sources.

The Renault Twizy Used The World’s Smallest Electric Motor: Five Horsepower

Around the start of the 1990s, Europe started looking at ways to relieve the congestion and pollution of large city centers, and created a vehicle classification called quadricycles – the four-wheel equivalent of the moped (which had helped mobilize the world)[3] – with restrictions about their size and power source, and licensing designation. From that directive emerged the simple electric powertrain, using a small electric motor that didn’t have to power vehicles to high speeds and whose off/on qualities effectively eliminated emissions completely. As a result, cars like the Renault Twizy, and its four-kW motor went into development and production.

The Smallest Electric Motor in Production

Motor	4-kW asynchronous
Horsepower	5 hp
Torque	24 lb-ft
Transmission	Direct-drive
Driveline	Rear-wheel drive
Battery	6.1 kWh
Range	56 miles
Charging Times	3.5 hours at 220v
Efficiency (Combined)	62 MPGe
Energy Consumption	15.5 kWh/100 Miles

The Renault Twizy Urban 45 is at the other end of the spectrum from today’s electric supercars, with its five-hp motor driving the rear wheels to a top speed of 28 mph (so, its 0-60 mph time would literally be ?).

In all fairness, though, the Renault Twizy is not about performance, even though there were “sportier” versions like the F1[4]. The four-kW motor is meant to get the lightweight two-seat EV around as effortlessly as possible for its driver, and its energy consumption is one of the lowest you’ll find anywhere on earth. Its 60-mile range is mildly affected by very light regenerative braking, so ideally the quadricycle is used on very short trips between electric outlets.

How The 4kW Renault Twizy Served Its Purpose

Combining the simplicity of a motorized bike and the efficiency of an EV, the Renault Twizy’s compact size and simple controls made it appealing to drivers who couldn’t justify owning, licensing, and insuring a car.

In fact, many jurisdictions set the age of operation at just 14 years old (as with mopeds), without the need for an operator’s license.

Why The Renault Twizy Was Important To Today’s EV Market

Renault

The Renault Twizy debuted as a concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show[5], was put into production and launched in 2012, and became the top-selling plug-in vehicle in Europe that year. In effect, it launched the EV market. With more, larger EVs coming to market, Twizy desirability fizzled out, and it was discontinued in 2023.

The Renault Twizy Weighed Just Over 800 Pounds

Length	92.1 inches
Width	48.6 inches
Height	57.2 inches
Wheelbase	66.4 inches
Curb Weight	827 pounds

The Renault Twizy was designed specifically for the European market, where dense cities and narrow streets called for compact, efficient vehicles.

Its primary intent was to offer a sustainable, easy-to-drive solution for urban running about, and influenced others, like Honda, to create near-identical EVs[6] for other markets. In many countries, Twizy could be driven without a full driver’s license, broadening its appeal to younger drivers and those who didn’t need or want traditional vehicles. With a buy-in of EUR6,990 in Europe (the equivalent of US£12,350 today), minimal maintenance, and low upkeep costs (including a £65 monthly battery lease), the Twizy was cost-effective and easy on the environment.

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The Renault Twizy Replaced Scooter-Based City Vehicles

• The Renault Twizy Urban came in 45 and 80 trims (denoting top speed in km/h)
• The 2013 Twizy Cargo replaced the rear seat with a storage locker
• Rebadged Nissan NMCs were used for a car-sharing program in Japan, and also a pilot service in San Francisco

One of the founding fathers of the automobile, Renault[7] has often led the charge in auto-evolution, and proved it again when Twizzy adapted to city life beyond being just a personal vehicle.

The most prominent variant swapped out the passenger seat (located behind the driver) for a 6.4 cubic-foot lockable cargo box for last-mile deliveries. Twizy’s relatively low cost also made it a consideration for car-sharing platforms, since their operation didn’t require licensed drivers.

Related

10 Smallest Cars Ever Produced[8]

From post-war-era classics to sleek modern-day runabouts, find out how automakers pushed the boundaries of engineering to create these microcars

Small-Motor Micro-EVs Still Popular Around The World

CITROEN

The Renault Twizy inspired manufacturers like SEAT, with its Minimo concept[9], to explore micro EVs in addressing urban mobility challenges. Its success in Europe paved the way for compatriot Citroen, Chinese companies like Wuling, and Israel’s City Transformer to enter the market with similar low-power, affordable EVs.

The Citroen Ami[10] features a slightly larger motor than the Renault Twizy and that reflects in better acceleration, but inferior driving range. Equipped with a smaller battery, it does manage to be more efficient with reduced consumption. Citroen sold over 20,000 Amis in 2023, mostly in Europe, but also in northern Africa and eastern Asia.

The Citroen Ami vs.

CT-1 vs. Wuling Hongguang Specifications

	Citroen Ami	City Transformer CT-1	Wuling Hongguang MINI EV
Motor	6-kW permanent magnet	Two 7.5-kW permanent magnet	15-kW permanent magnet
Horsepower	8 hp	20 hp	20 hp
Driveline	Front-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Battery	5.5 kWh	16 kWh	9.2-26 kWh
Range	46 miles	111 miles	75-170 miles
Efficiency (Combined)	270 MPGe	157 MPGe	112 MPGe
Energy Consumption	11.7 kWh/100 Miles	21.3 kWh/100 Miles	N/A

CITY TRANSFORMER

The City Transformer CT-1’s standout feature is the ability to tuck in its wheels[11], widening its stance for stability at higher speeds and narrowing it to negotiate tight city streets. Powered by two rear-mounted motors, the CT-1 doubles the top speed and travel distance of the French micro-cars above.

A new generation swaps out the two motors for a single 15-kW unit.

Igorigorevich1 / WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

The Wuling Hongguang MINI EV is available with a choice of motors and battery sizes, granting it more flexibility than many other micro EVs, and allowing it to travel at highway speeds and for longer distances. Its versatility also makes it one of the top-selling EVs in the world, though it’s primarily sold in China (the world’s EV superpower)[12]. The budget-friendly car sold over 500,000 units in 2023.

Micro Cars Played An Important Role In EV Development

Honda

Small electric motors in cars like the Renault Twizy played a crucial role in the early development of EVs, particularly in their ability to address the challenges of intra-city congestion and clean air.

Compact, low-output motors provide enough power for tiny EVs to navigate the narrow streets and limited parking of densely populated cities like Paris and Beijing. Micro-cars or quadricycles failed to gain traction in more expansive markets like the U.S., though, where car culture favors more powerful, roomier, and more versatile vehicles[13]. But, they still influenced the bigger market by proving that sustainable mobility could be affordable and effective, with just a bit of effort.

The influence early micro-EVs like the Renault Twizy had on electric propulsion was significant in laying the groundwork for current and future advancements in compact electric transportation.

References

1. ^ electric cars (www.topspeed.com)
2. ^ EVs have since become commonplace and evolved in dimensions and the size of their motors (www.topspeed.com)
3. ^ the moped (which had helped mobilize the world) (www.topspeed.com)
4. ^ even though there were “sportier” versions like the F1 (www.topspeed.com)
5. ^ Twizy debuted as a concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show (www.topspeed.com)
6. ^ influenced others, like Honda, to create near-identical EVs (www.topspeed.com)
7. ^ Renault (www.topspeed.com)
8. ^ 10 Smallest Cars Ever Produced (www.topspeed.com)
9. ^ SEAT, with its Minimo concept (www.topspeed.com)
10. ^ Citroen Ami (www.topspeed.com)
11. ^ CT-1’s standout feature is the ability to tuck in its wheels (www.topspeed.com)
12. ^ China (the world’s EV superpower) (www.topspeed.com)
13. ^ car culture favors more powerful, roomier, and more versatile vehicles (www.topspeed.com)