The Mobilize Bento has been confirmed as coming to the UK, adding to the ranks of small electric last-mile delivery vehicles.
The Bento is due to slot into a currently sparsely populated class, as the only main rival out there is the Citroen Ami Cargo. It is a one-seater electric vehicle with a 0.5 cubic metre box on the back.
Mobilize is no start-up, though – it’s Renault by another name in many ways. Rather than badge it as a Renault, the decision has been taken to use the Mobilize name instead.
‘When we organised Renault in early 2021 we organised the brands with specific know how,’ said Renault’s VP global sales and marketing LCV Zakaria Zeghari, who confirmed that the Bento is on its way to the UK. ‘It makes sense to have people that are dedicated to areas and not have people doing everything. Renault, Dacia, Alpine and Mobilize.’
Mobilize is focused on areas such as financing, data, installation of charging services and the product – vehicles such as the Bento and its passenger equivalent the Duo.
What is the Bento?
The Mobilize Bento is a small, single seater electric vehicle that has a large box on the back, tailor made for urban deliveries or collections. It has a range of ‘over 140km (87 miles)’ and can be charged on a standard domestic socket or a type 2 point, with the cable fixed permanently to the vehicle.
It’s capable of speeds of up to 50mph, which is notably quicker than the Citroen Ami, which tops out at 28mph.
There is a total carry capacity of one cubic metre, but this is not all in the box on the back. 700 litres can be taken in the back compartment, while the other 300 litres of space is dotted around the cabin. There is only 80kg of payload, though, which means that any cargo will have to be relatively light.
The dimensions are fairly compact, with it measuring up at 2,542mm long, 1,298mm wide and 1,555mm high. The rear box is 80cm by 80cm.
It’s not a totally sparse cabin, either, with air conditioning and a driver’s airbag included. There is no need for a second airbag, as the Bento is only a single seater, with the driver situated centrally, allowing for easy entry and exit on either side.
How and when can you buy a Mobilize Bento?
The Bento will be coming to the UK as soon as early 2025, although there are various logistical and financial details to be sorted out before then. It is too early for pricing at this stage, but Zeghari said that the company expects the majority will be sold via leasing deals.
