with citroën 'ami for all', persons with reduced lower-limb mobility can drive on their own

Citroën Ami for All improves driving accessibility

Citroën presents the Ami for All concept car, an electric vehicle whose car design enables persons with reduced lower-limb mobility and wheelchair users to drive on their own. The new addition to the family falls in line with Citroën’s buggy concept, Ami One that 16-year-olds can drive without a driver’s license, and the tiny ‘subscription’ EV that costs 22 USD a month. The prototype is designed to be driven by persons with disabilities who no longer have the use of at least one lower limb, particularly those in wheelchairs.

The revamped car design allows accessibility by increasing the door opening angle for better and wider driver and wheelchair access; adding assistive equipment such as onboard straps so the driver can easily transfer themselves from their wheelchair to their seat u transfer from wheelchair to seat; installing mechanical and manual control for accelerating and braking; using a simple push-and-pull lever to control the brake and gas pedals; and placing a knob on the steering wheel to make driving easier.

images courtesy of Citroën

New features installed for ‘ami for all’

Citroën Ami for All has a wide door that opens on the opposite side of the driver’s seat, and the door hinge angle has been increased to allow wheelchair users to place their assistive device parallel to the car’s threshold once the driver’s door is open. A removable shelf is unfolded to help transfer the person from the wheelchair into the car independently.

There is a strap fixed to the top of the interior door frame to assist in moving from the wheelchair to the driver’s seat, which only takes a few minutes. Once inside the car, the driver can easily grip the steering wheel, which has a knob for better handling. Instead of traditional pedals, there is a simple push-or-pull lever for manual control of the accelerator and brake pedal (the regular pedals are still functional if needed).

There are two options for transporting the wheelchair. It can be placed in the passenger compartment where the driver can secure it in the footwell using a specially designed strap. If there is a passenger, the wheelchair can be hung at the rear of the car using an aluminum luggage rack and can be covered with a protective tarpaulin.

there’s a strap fixed to the top of the interior door frame to assist in moving from wheelchair to driver’s seat

Citroën makes charging easy for the driver

Citroën Ami for All – co-developed with PIMAS, an expert in the conversion of vehicles for Persons with Reduced Mobility – is small and easy to park, and there is enough space around it for both the driver and their wheelchair. Its height is adequate enough to make sure that the driver finds it easy to duck and slip inside with ease.

Citroën Ami for All can go up to 45km/h, and its battery can last for 75km, enough for everyday use. Its 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the floor, and can be easily recharged using the onboard electric cable found in the passenger-side doorway. Once the cable is plugged, Citroën claims that it only takes less than 4 hours to fully charge using a regular 220-voltage socket.

Citroën Ami for All has a wide door that opens on the opposite side of the driver’s seat

The origin of Citroën ‘Ami for All’

This project originated in Stellantis’ Star*up program where its employees can share their project ideas. If their idea is chosen, they get the chance to be part of a business accelerator program, where their ideas can become a reality. This was the process that Christophe Lapeyre, the person behind Citroën Ami for All, went through.

He got this idea after seeing students at his stepson’s high school who relied on specialized vehicles for transportation, while their classmates enjoyed more freedom. Along with the social challenges, finding technical and industrial solutions was an exciting task. Christophe found a sponsor and support from Citroën right away. They believed in him and helped him develop the project for Citroën Ami for All.

the wheelchair can be placed in the passenger compartment where the driver can secure it in the footwell