CITROEN AMI POP FIRST DRIVE 45 MILES with FREE EV CHARGE

The first drive in my Citroen Ami 'Pop'. The car (quadricycle) was delivered on 2nd November with 2 miles on the clock. This first drive was 45 miles long, mostly on quiet rural roads. There were quite a few steep inclines which affected the range of the batteries. Overall, the actual range was about
18% less than the indicated figures.
I set off with 46 miles range showing, this had reduced to 9 miles range after 32 miles of driving. I recharged back to 31 miles range at a Chargepoint Scotland (free) EV charger then drove 13 miles back home. The car used an indicated 18 miles worth of charge in those 13 miles.
I also charged the car at home using a 'Tough Leads' 10 metre adaptor cable with RCD protection.
There were a couple of niggles with the car, the door rattled against the latch on rough roads and there was a cold blast of air coming out of the door pull hole in the driver's door.

[@RustyGlovebox]

Nice little car Doug, it will be great for a quick run into town for something. Cheers

[@DougsShed]

Hi Lloyd, that's the idea. Great around town.

[@colinrashleigh6488]

Reminds me of my 88 year old mother’s mobility scooter. I think it’s probably got an advantage over other electric cars when it runs out of power you can push it home😂

[@michaelsteirn4454]

Anyone out there like who owns an Ami. Interesting little scenario! When you enter a big supermarket car park the cameras don’t register the car. Found that out last week. Could be handy that.

[@DougsShed]

Is that because of its size or is it the number plate layout?

[@ccooper8785]

Nice seeing some of those roads again.🤩20 odd years ago I was pottering around there on a Bullet 500. 😍 I have fancied an Ami since they were first announced. Pity they have ended up being almost double the cost that was first stated.😡Living in the Far North may be a problem given that the nearest Citroen dealership is 110 miles away 😱

[@mmigesh4735]

Citroen’s never have self-cancelling indicators. Nice to see someone who can use a steering wheel properly.

[@stumpusMaximus]

Even my NIU EV 30mph moped came with self-cancelling indicators and cruise control, GPS tracking and factory fitted alarm (this is a moped with 4 wheels - quadricycle). It’s just tight arsed everything today. If it sells enough see it as an ‘upgrade’ in the future…..

[@AllenChan]

Great video, I just ordered last week, can't wait to drive mine.

[@austinswallow]

following with interest, thanks for sharing!

[@johncrae1094]

Looks fun Douglas despite the wee niggles ! Thanks for the Wee County and Hillfoots tour, worked and lived there for many years.

[@DougsShed]

Thanks John, I quite often cycle along the cycle paths between Dollar and Alva and then down to Cambus & Alloa and back to Dollar.

[@joseluisgarciafernandez5550]

Nice video Sir. Thanks.

[@williammillard687]

Hi Doug, I hope you’re doing good! Great to see you’re ami is with you! Awaiting mine! Enjoy and hopefully see you at Bo’Ness one day. 👍

[@DougsShed]

We need a class for 48volt electric cars.

[@craigluscar]

Go Douglas go

[@hebogara]

The indicator is indeed not self canceling.

[@DougsShed]

I did wonder.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

For home charging, I think I would get a schuko socket installed at a suitable location, and whatever would be required. Or possibly a Type2 station, but a scharging station is a bit over kill, when the Ami doesn't support mode-3 charging, only mode-1

[@DougsShed]

Yes, you just need a Schuko TypeE/F socket in order to charge from your domestic 230V supply. If you do fit a Type2 charge station it mus be the type with a socket rather than a tethered lead.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

@@DougsShed I would expect an electrician could do a risk assessment in order to install a schuko socket, and of course ground fault breaker and whatever is required by code. Possibly take a look at IEC 60364, or some national code like the Norwegian code NEK400 based upon the IEC code. NEK400:2018 still permitted schuko for EVs at residential installasjon at a maximum of 10A (and other requirements), while NEK400:2022 require Type2 socket for EVs. While the code is the norm, you can make a risk assessment that a quality schuko socket i probably no worse than using an adapter, when the EV in question has tethered schuko.

[@niallsommerville9941]

Looks like it does the job nicely. Only wing mirrors and non self cancelling indicators must feel a bit like a motorcycle. Door latches in the body like some TVR's, makes sense but a bit trickier to adjust. The seat bases look quite firm, will you need some additional padding? I was thinking your Schuko might work as an extension with a suitable adaptor on a public charger but then wondered if the RCD might conflict with the charge station monitoring. It looks quite "airy" inside with all the windows. You went for the gear lever at the first lights, we saw you 😉

[@DougsShed]

I've fixed the door rattle - adjusted the striker on the door. I think Tough Leads make a Schuko extension lead which will suit and use the Ami's Schuko to Type2 adaptor. Won't be using my home extension with the RCD at a public charger. Surprisingly roomy inside the Ami. The Drive/Neutral/Reverse buttons are down on the left of the driver's seat - That was what i was reaching for!

[@LWJCarroll]

0448 fording a flood, fyi be careful as a couple driving a regular electric car here in New Zealand recently had the battery pack zapped by the water and car was US! Or a write off…can’t recall 😢😢😢😢😢. It was the second time for them….Laurie. NZ.

[@DougsShed]

The Citroen Ami manual warns about not wading through standing water over 4 inches deep. The battery charger if quite low down and could be vulnerable.

[@Rob1964b]

I had annoying rattling from door on one of my first drives - but was because the door wasn't shut properly.

[@DougsShed]

Fixed my door rattle by adjusting the door catch on the door.

[@ccooper8785]

You would think it would be glaringly obvious to the manufacturers that their charging cables should be day-glo yellow to reduce the chance of trips and falls... (mind you, it should also be obvious that vehicles like this should be manufactured in India or China to keep costs as low as possible)

[@ziggarillo]

I've never come across the term "speed table" before.

[@DougsShed]

A large raised platform to stop cars speeding. A very wide continuous speed hump.

[@ziggarillo]

@What's going on in Doug's Shed? Makes sense , always though of them as big speed bumps. Now I realise they have a name I hate them all the more.

[@johnluckcock3641]

Well done taking the plunge. I am on the verge of ordering one. How did you find the 28mph top speed ? Did it cause any problems?

[@DougsShed]

Seems slow on rural roads but fine around town.

[@CampGareth]

I wonder if you could add a 3 pin socket inside the Ami powered by its charging cable. Then you could add a low power heater on a wifi socket to preheat the cabin, or use a laptop while charging.

[@DougsShed]

I'm sure it would be possible. Alternatively you could use a Schuco extension lead with multiple sockets. Have a look at the ABL Sursum 3 socket Type F outlet. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282746832091 You would need to wire it to a short cable with a Schuco plug. The plug would connect to the Ami's Type 2 adapter and the Ami's charge cable would connect to one of the 3 sockets. This leaves 2 other sockets available for other devices whilst the Ami is charging.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

I think a camera at "passenger position" might give a more interesting view.

[@DougsShed]

If I fit the camera on the rear window the seat head rests would get in the way. I may try fitting a camera to the underside of the roof window.

[@nigelpurkiss5340]

Excellent informative tear down videos Doug. I'd love un Ami but - 30mph, not sure. Most local roads 40mph. You kindly gave the differential ratio. At a guess what increase in diameter from 124mm would be required to achieve an increase of 5-10mph? The machining doesn't look too onerous for a decent engineer. Your thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[@DougsShed]

You would have to reduce the diameter of the 124mm driven pulley to increase speed. With the current gearing, the Ami can struggle on steep hills. Trying to increase the top speed would probably make hill climbing more difficult. A 5mph increase would be useful. The pulley size change would only work if the speed limiter works solely on motor rpm (there is a mysterious speed sensor on the left rear wheel which no one knows what it actually does).

[@nigelpurkiss5340]

@@DougsShed As you correctly say Doug, stupidly I had not factored a differential reduction would impact performance/torque, especially on significant inclines. That aside there is huge interest in France and Spain for a small speed increase. A few companies seem interested in controller mods etc. Hopefully not if, but when. One question, at a guess by what rough percentage does a cold day affect range? Again, thanks for terrific instructive vlogs.

[@christineayres7199]

Sadly the indicators are not self cancelling , I was going to buy one of these brand new for £7 grand but a friend who has one put me off as she said the chassis underneath has started to rust , not good for a 1 year old car , Im just still driving my old petrol car for now though it is killing me on fuel bills £10 to go 50 miles and i only drive a 1.2 Corsa

[@DougsShed]

I 'rustproofed' my Ami using Lanoguard as I saw that the chassis was vulnerable to rust. The indicators are not a problem, the warning bleeper is quite loud.

[@christineayres7199]

@@DougsShed Good job you did mate as winter ☃️ is coming soon and you know how bad that gritting salt is for our cars , though as I said a 1 year old vehicle really should not be prone to rust , poor QC on Citroen's part.

[@parkview113]

hi Doug how would you run an Optimate 3 from the 12 v underneath to keep it conditioned ? Up through the underside via the windscreen washer cubby hole behind the seats? Lead supplied by Optimate for the 3 is 11" long but hahave a 4' extension to connect to...( have all my vehicles on Optimates and never have battery probs ). just want to easily connect up - no way to access battery if not on ramp & don't fancy jacking - only other option is running connection externally and tethering with a cable tie. Can only see one spot but too near to rear offsise wheel - hole in frame reachable by wheel arch ... any ideas. Bill, 69 yrs. Ami Pop in Sussex -- also want to get Wax oiled - any parts on underbody to avoid + any elect connection to improve weather sealing on ? (underside again)

[@DougsShed]

Hi William, I made up a cable which ran as you described and was ty-wrapped in the washer bottle cubby. Easiest access to the 12v battery is with the rear body removed. My battery tender/charger has an Anderson 50 amp connector added which is what I use on all my batteries. I used Lanoguard rather than Waxoil. Very pleasant to apply and you can coat electrical terminals and wiring.

[@lesliemitchell1858]

Just need a go faster stripe Doug !

[@DougsShed]

Definitely!

[@stewartross1233]

Hi, I had a test drive in Edinburgh. Quirky little thing. Only complaint was non existent heater. Does your heater push out any heat? Live in Larbert, would like a heater for the winter 🔥

[@DougsShed]

Heater only gently warms the front screen. If you need more heat you would have to fit a separate large capacity auxiliary battery and an electric fan heater or fit a diesel cab heater. I'm fitting a 50ah 12v LiFePO4 battery so that I can run heaters etc. (this is totally separate from the Ami's 12v electrical system).

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

15:20 wouldn't a plain shuko extensioncable work too? Just going between the adapter, an the tethered cable? (I hope they switch away from tethered to Type 2 input before its our time to order, with our future needs for an extra car for local commute)

[@DougsShed]

The Ami has a Schuko plug on it's tethered cable. If you are within 3 metres of a domestic Schuko socket - just plug in and charge. In the UK we have square 3-pin 13Amp sockets therefore we need Schuko to UK 13Amp extension leads to connect to a domestic supply.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

@@DougsShed you mentioned a Type2 extension cable in the video. I assumed that's a Type2 to schuko, like an extended adapter, as I've never heard of pure Type2 extension (threre could be several plausible safety issues with such cable). But instead of pluging the schuko into an extended adapter, you could just extend the schuko and use the normal Type2 adapter. A normal schuko-kabel would work with you Type2 adapter, as well as your long 3pin-schuko cable, but of course a normal 3pin extension would work too.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

Is the accelerator quite proportional or is it a bit on and off ?

[@DougsShed]

Quite easy to creep or pull away gently with a little throttle. Flooring the throttle on gravel or wet roads can cause wheelspin. You can also use left foot braking (as advised for automatic cars) to control speed when manoeuvring.

[@antoniopalmero4063]

@@DougsShed ok , I didn’t know that they advise left foot use in automatics . I been driving leafs for a few years , not sure I would buy ami due to my location but would love to have a go in one 😄👍🇬🇧

[@DougsShed]

@@antoniopalmero4063 If you are used to using your right foot for braking with a manual car, it can be difficult to get used to left foot braking in an automatic. You can forget and press on the brake like it was a clutch - car stops very suddenly!😄

[@Jamienomore]

When you are plugging it in to Charge from your House electric socket, do you just put the two prong plug into the Ami Charger, put the 3 pin into a House socket and switch on and that's it Charging. Or do you still have A and B to seclect?

[@DougsShed]

You do not use the Ami Type2 adapter when charging from a house 13amp supply. You need a conversion cable to plug the EU 'Schuko' plug into one end and the other end of the cable has a standard UK 3 pin 13A plug which goes into your house's 13A socket. It is best to get a cable with an inbuilt 30A RCD to avoid electrocuting someone. Tough Leads make suitable cables.

[@Jamienomore]

@@DougsShed There are Home Charging Cables you can buy that Plug into a normal Hose Sccket. I have seen them Advertised and one was from Tough Leads headed 'Citroen Ami compatible extension lead (13A UK plug to 16A European socket)' I believe it was £19.99.

[@DougsShed]

@@Jamienomore I've got the Tough Leads 10metre long EU socket to 13A UK lead (with inbuilt RCD) and I also have the Tough Leads 5metre Ami extension lead (which plugs into the Ami's Type2 charging adapter) - Very useful if you can't get close enough to a charge point to reach with the inbuilt 3metre Ami cable.

[@Jamienomore]

@@DougsShed Do you still have to press Button 'A' and 'B' using them, or, is it just connect them, plug into the Electric Socket, switch on and that's it.

[@DougsShed]

@@Jamienomore There is no A & B button for use with the 13A 3 pin domestic socket. The A & B buttons on the Type2 Adapter are only for connecting to a Type2 charge point. See toughleads.co.uk/pages/citroen-ami-charging-guide?

[@DavidPlayfair]

I wonder who will be the first Ami driver to get a speeding ticket for doing 28mph in a 20mph limit! ;)

[@DougsShed]

Yes - way too easy to speed in a 20mph zone.😀

[@nigelford936]

Sorry mate wouldn't want one as a gift and dread to think what the crash test rating is

[@DougsShed]

Not rated for crashes - the Ami is not classed as a 'car' - think of it as a safer bicycle/scooter.

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

I don't think bragging about free charging serves the EV community much good. I think it serves more to paint a picture of EV drivers as parasites. Yes it's nice to charge for free, but I don't mind paying a fair price to charge wherever I need. Free charging is usually a result of installation cost, and/or admin cost for payment are too high for them to bother, they rather make it free out of curtesy.

[@DougsShed]

I don't go out of my way to use free chargers. My local ones in Fife charge £1.60 connection and £0.15 per Kwh. The ones in Falkirk-shire have a minimum of £1 and £0.35 per Kwh. Clackmannan-shire are currently free to use. I normally charge at home on a standard tariff of £0.33 per Kwh. I worked out that I pay about £0.056 per mile. Re. "bragging" - ever heard of click-bait titles!

[@thorbjrnhellehaven5766]

@@DougsShed I surely understand your desire for clicks, and that it has to be short. That doesn't change how the title can be perceived, especially from everyone just skipping it. However, everyone watching the video of course gets a balanced view. sorry if I turned out too harsh. I've just seen too many of these click baits, and your just pushed me over the edge. It's not fair to let it all out on you, just because your was the last. I think your videos about the Ami are interesting, keep up the good work! 👍

[@ziggarillo]

@@thorbjrnhellehaven5766 its a bit petty

[@paulaur]

I think it is way overpriced. East europeans will not be abke to buy new electric cars from dealers. In our level of economy asking 40.000 euros fir a tiny car like golf, it is like in your exonomy zone to pay around 80k for a small electric daily driver. Hrrr. What a nonsense.

[@DougsShed]

EVs are way overpriced. Even the Ami, although cheap, is too expensive for what it is.