8.3.2012 Renault confirms ZOE Z.E. pricing

The 2012 Geneva Motor Show has been chosen for the first public appearance of the Renault ZOE – one of four all-electric models in their all-electric Z.E. range.

The ZOE will become one of the most affordable battery electric cars on the UK market, in terms of up-front cost, available on-the-road for just £13,650 (after the government’s £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant), although the battery is leased separately at an additional monthly cost of £70.

The ZOE is packed with the latest technology and boasts no fewer than six world premieres geared to enhancing user-friendliness, range and connectivity. Being designed and built from the ground up as an electric vehicle – more than 60 patents were filed during the design, with battery range, interactivity and occupant wellbeing at the core of its innovations.

It will launch in the UK in the autumn, and will be the lowest up-front costing all-electric car available. The additional battery leasing (9,000 mile/ 36 month contract) does add to running costs, but mean that Renault will guarantee the condition and maintenance of the batteries. This contract also includes breakdown assistance, which covers flat batteries.

The ZOE is the only electric vehicle to feature the Chameleon charger. Patented by Renault, this charger is compatible with all power levels up to 43kW, which allows charging times to be reduced to just half an hour (at 22kW a full charge will take 1 hour).

In terms of autonomy, Renault has developed the 'Range OptimiZEr', which combines three major innovations (new-generation regenerative braking, a heat pump and MICHELIN EnergyTM E-V tyres). Due to this, the range of ZOE is the highest of the electric vehicles in mass production. The ZOE has a 130 mile total range according to the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC). In real conditions, for example, in suburban use, the owner will generally achieve around 60 miles in cold weather and 90 miles in temperate conditions. Next Green Cars Zap-Map provides a comprehensive list of UK charging points.

Customers can now pre-order the ZOE now – customers that reserve the ZOE will be offered a test drive and will be contacted on a priority basis as soon as the car goes on sale later in 2012.

Newspress