Citroen has unveiled the new Ami, an electric city car that will cost around £5,000.

The compact model can travel at up to 28mph and has a range of 43 miles.

It’s based on the AMI One Concept that was revealed at Geneva last year and is billed as a “real alternative” to scooters, bicycles, mopeds and public transport.

An ultra-compact footprint of 2.41m long and 1.39m wide makes city travel and parking easy.

The car is not expected to go on sale in the UK, but in Europe it is offered on a long-term rental costing £17 per month with a £2,186 deposit.

It will also be offered via PSA Group’s Free2Move car sharing scheme at a cost of 21p per minute.

The Ami allows two people to travel side by side, with a closed roof and a heated interior - offering protection from the elements.

In France, the car can be driven by anyone over the age of 14, with or without a driving licence.

"For 100 years, Citroen has always been innovative and creative in democratising freedom of movement. This year, Citroen has come up with a new urban mobility solution accessible to everyone: compact, protective, 100% electric, without driving licence and affordable. Ami - 100% electric aims to be a real breakthrough in the access to urban mobility, a solution that is as close as possible to new modes of consumption. This great idea was just a concept one year ago, and we are proud that we have made it happen today," said Vincent Cobée, Citroën brand CEO.

The Ami houses a 5.5 kWh lithium-ion battery, housed flat under the floor, which can be easily recharged via the on-board electric cable located in the passenger-side doorway. Once the cable is plugged in, three hours are enough for a full charge on a conventional 220v socket.