As Renault prepare to launch the first of four electric models, the French car maker invited us down to City Hall in London to try first hand two of its pioneering ZE range. It seems like a bold move for any firm to quickly launch four models of electric vehicle within the space of a year, in what, let’s face it is still a relatively a bud of a market. Clearly Renault must be confident that it’s sat on a bud about to bloom as after years of development with its Alliance partner Nissan, Renault will begin retailing electric vehicles in the UK from later this year. With the ‘year of the electric car’ well under way, Renault’s Kangoo ZE van and Fluence ZE saloon arrived in London ready to give the press a chance to test drive them ahead of a driving day for customers who pre-ordered the models.
Speaking to Andy Heiron, Renault’s head of electric vehicle development, one of the first questions I had to ask him was where was the Twizy? Since in the UK, the Twizy will actually arrive before the Fluence, it seemed an oversight that the model was not here to try as well. Slightly heavily, Andy confessed in his trademark direct manner that there were no ‘only left-hand models’ available excuses to make, as the truth is that the only a handful of pre-production models are in France as of yet. On mainland Europe, the Fluence will launch ahead of the Twizy, arriving before the end of the year. Hence, quite simply, the Twizy isn’t ready to meet its UK audience just yet although orders have already opened.
Behind the wheel of the Kangoo ZE
Never mind, two of the four models to enjoy then, and with that thought I was quickly outside confronted by the site of the Kangoo Z.E. Now I have to confess, I had never driven a commercial vehicle before, and as a van-driving novice, I’m probably not best equipped to give you an accurate comparison to other van offerings on the market. But what I can say, other than I had my first chance to beep my horn at a group of passing girls in true ‘white van man’ style, is that the Kangoo is actually ideally suited to electrification. I drove this van like a learner driver, I admit, as I’m not accustomed to the heavier braking of a commercial vehicle. Honestly, I suspect I made the van jump around like the marsupial that inspired its name. However it is this tight braking that makes the Kangoo an ideal electric vehicle, able to maximise the amount of regenerative energy it captures. As a small van anyway, typical users are unlikely to be trouble by the restricted driving range of a 100 miles per charge. It’s an ideal inner city courier vehicle for small deliveries rather than a larger commercial vehicle, which is more likely to run up and down the M6.
In fact, the Kangoo ZE seemed completely at home in the London traffic, where it will be able to travel without paying the Congestion Charge. At a later date Renault will introduce a two-seat Kangoo Maxi ZE and a five seat Kangoo Maxi ZE to join the standard Kangoo model. But as tested here, focusing on this first model, you’ll find that the Kangoo is powered by a 44kW electric motor which boasts energy efficient of up to 90 per cent. Powered by a 22kWh battery, this motor revs to 10,500rpm and instantly delivers peak torque, which is a constant 226Nm. The electric model offers an uncompromised loading space of 3 to 3m cubed, a payload of 650kg, and weighs just 159kg more than its combustion counterpart. Set to arrive in showrooms in October, it costs £16,900 with £59 per month to pay for the lease of the battery.
Free wheeling in the Fluence
Now I’m use to EVs these days and their silent drive. But as I got comfy in the Fluence ZE and turned the key, even as someone who is accustomed to their silence, I had to restrain the urge to ask the dull-witted question; ‘is it on?’ Of course it was and once reassured, I slipped it into drive and took off. Comfy, effortless and easy to drive sum up the Fluence ZE. Its most interesting trait is that it is a full-sized saloon, bigger than the Nissan Leaf and even more accommodating, it is perhaps the perfect model to once and for all put the ‘milk float’ stereotype of electric cars to bed once and for all.
An ideal company car, the Fluence ZE will arrive in the UK in the autumn of 2012 but like the Kangoo, is available to order now. Its lithium batteries give the Fluence a range up to 115miles per charge, while its electric motor has a 70kW output, delivering instant and continuous torque of 226 Nm and a top speed of 84 mph. Priced from £17,850 (after a £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant), this model too, qualifies for Congestion Charge exemption, road tax exemption and no Benefit-in-Kind tax for five years, making it an appealing prospect for fleets and businesses.
Back at city hall, I quizzed Renault’s EV chief Andy Heiron further on the car maker’s preparations for the imminent launch of its exciting ZE range; the most comprehensive range of electric vehicles yet to emerge. I asked Andy why Renault had decided to take a split approached to retailing its EVs by leasing the battery but selling the vehicle.
Andy said: “We’re not just thinking about the first owner, but the second and third. Leasing the battery gives the consumer guaranteed performance. It’s about thinking ahead and taking a ten year view.”
Sounds like Renault is confident that its electric vehicles are here to stay then. Later Renault turned the tables on me, and with a camera shoved in my face, I gave some video feedback of the day. Watch if you dare (see above) and yes it was hot in City Hall. I apologise in advance for my unnatural style on camera.
Now all that remains is a wait until this autumn when the Kangoo ZE kick-starts Renault’s EV revolution. We’ll have to wait and see if UK consumers make help the car maker achieve its expectation that EVs will represent 10 per cent of global sales by 2020.
