I\'d prefer to buy the battery outright, than lease it.

I\'d be afraid that other vehicles wouldn\'t see me driving this until it\'s too late. Also; how would it stand against Maine winters?

Kinda undecided about leasing the batteries versus purchasing. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages.
Renault seems far behind the curve on this size EV. I live in Arizona - the Phoenix area - and have seen golfcarts that look just like it...and can perform as well or better for about the same price. As well, one can license golfcarts for city street use here. I\'ve heard other states, like Florida are similar. Nevertheless, there is already an extensive service and support infrastructure here in the U.S. for golfcarts and their myriad cousins and incarnations. Where would you get your Twizy serviced?

Finally someone is on the right track. Batteries do not last. A lease will insure a measure of reliability and save you from a heart attack when purchasing a new set. They may not have all the issues covered but the battery was the big one. Good gob!

What makes this thing any different than any of the myriad of golf carts I see every day? Because when you get right down to it, that\'s all it really is! And most golf carts are far cheaper than this thing and you don\'t look like a fool driving one!

does Renault still sell vehicles here in the US?

I would suggest that leasing the battery means that when the battery dies it will be replaced & the other option is as batteries improve they can be updated. EUR49 (approx. US$70) is still a lot cheaper than a month\'s fuel. It is somewhat a rip-off though but the battery is the expensive part...

First thing that came to mind when I seen this were Commander Adama\'s classic words: \"You CAN\'T be serious!\" From that 5-letter amalgamation for a name that outdoes even Volkswagen\'s drug-induced recent monikers to this WTF of a rented battery to that wacked-out design [evidently shared with/ripped off by Nissan], I shudder to think of the outcome should this doohickey with its laudable mission run afoul of an even slightly larger gas-gulper. And especially in the UNLICENSED hands of kids! This poky little pony would do well in the gated-community universe but not on real roads jammed with traffic and road-raging psychos. Some lunatic would be bound to hit it on purpose. It\'s a tossup as to whether I want to sample what whoever at Ren-O was smoking when they cooked up this goofy gadget. Cute but way impractical.

But they don\'t have golfcarts in Europe, see...
And rental batteries are part of keeping costs down and allowing a much cleaner transition as newer cells become available. The Company can buy all at once and there is nothing for drivers but a quick swap out at the shop, no do it yourself negotiations, disposal etcetcetc or big upfront cost.

as for the form factor/ size issues....as we move to more dense urban styles (efficiency of infrastructure) we will need more compact city transport, and will rely more and more on rental cars for the vacations and expeditions.

Who would want a "normal" looking EV like the Chevy Volt or Leaf when you can have something that looks like it was used on the set of "2001 A Space Odyssey"? Where can I get a copy of the Vehicle used in "Lost In Space"? Now THAT would be cool (?!).