Hippo, Bento, Duo and Limo - Renault Mobilize model name trademarks revealed

Renault has registered four trademarks for its recently established Mobilize brand, which provide hints at what the company’s planned range of urban electric vehicles will be called. Renault’s trademarks were for the Mobilize Duo, Bento, Limo and Hippo nameplates. We expect the first will become the production version of the EZ-1 prototype. 

The concept is a 2.3-metre long, two-seat electric vehicle with a 1+1 seating arrangement, which makes it a spiritual successor to the Renault Twizy and a fresh competitor for the Citroen Ami in one fell swoop. The prototype also has a glass canopy, like the Ami.

It was specifically designed for shared use, with drivers being billed according to the number of miles they cover or the amount of time spent behind the wheel. Every Mobilize Duo should also feature keyless access, with drivers accessing the car via a smartphone app. The Mobilize Duo badge has also been registered. 

Renault says that the eventual production model will be made according to “circular economy principles,” meaning it’ll be made from 50 percent recycled materials. At the end of the car’s lifespan, Renault also claims that 95 percent of the car will be recyclable. 

Technical specifications for the EZ-1 concept (or the Duo production model) are yet to be confirmed, although Renault has said that the EV will make use of a battery-swap system rather than relying on charging infrastructure.

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Renault has also confirmed that its Mobilize sub-brand will launch three more models, built on a modular, fully electric vehicle platform. Alongside the Duo, there’ll be a last-mile delivery vehicle, a ride-hailing service and a second, slightly larger car-sharing vehicle.

We expect the courier van will be called Bento (after the Japanese lunch box), while the ride-hailing service should be called Limo, for obvious reasons. That just leaves the Hippo, which could become the brand’s second car-sharing vehicle.

Mobilize will soon expand into a urban-focussed mobility provider, centred around the key pillars of car-sharing, pay-as-you-go driving and sustainable motoring. The brand’s success will hinge on the uptake of these four new models, which Renault expects will generate around 50 percent of its revenues by 2030.

Mobilize will be responsible for developing new charging technology and services for the entire Renault group, too. Currently, the firm is developing a charging pass for Renault customers, allowing them to easily locate a charging point and pay using a single Europe-wide accepted method. 

Following in Tesla’s footsteps, Mobilize will also expand into the energy storage industry, using recycled batteries from Renault electric vehicles.

What do you think of Renault’s Mobilize spin-off brand? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below…