Renault Z.E.
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Renault |
| Headquarters | Boulogne-Billancourt , France |
| Products | Electric cars |
| Website | www |
The Renault Z.E. (standing for Zero Emission) represents Renault's portfolio of all-electric cars, introduced initially through concept models that evolved into production vehicles such as the Renault Fluence Z.E.. Early commercial availability commenced in late 2011 in Israel and Denmark, facilitated by the Better Place infrastructure.[1][2] In 2011, Renault secured a significant agreement to deliver 15,600 electric cars to the French government and La Poste, contributing to a governmental fleet goal of 25,000 EVs.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The Z.E. designation also extends to electric offerings from Renault Trucks, which operates independently.
By September 2016, cumulative worldwide sales of Renault Z.E. vehicles surpassed 100,000 units.[3] The Renault Zoe stands out as the most successful model, with global sales reaching 150,000 units by June 2019.[4]
In 2021, Renault discontinued the Z.E. brand, rebranding its existing electric models under the E-Tech Electric name.
2008 Paris Motor Show
Renault unveiled its inaugural Z.E. concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, derived from the Renault Kangoo Be Bop platform. This compact model measured approximately in length and in height, powered by a 70 kW electric motor generating torque and equipped with lithium-ion batteries offering an estimated driving range of 200 km. The roof incorporated solar panels to assist with climate control inside the vehicle.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The anticipated market price was around €16,000.
2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
During the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Renault broadened its electric vehicle concept lineup to include four distinct models:
- The five-seat saloon Fluence Z.E., featuring Renault's "Quickdrop" fast battery exchange technology compatible with the Better Place network
- The Kangoo Z.E. light commercial van
- The ultra-compact city car Twizy Z.E.
- The supermini class Zoe Z.E.
Renault announced plans to commence production of these Z.E. concept vehicles starting in 2011, aiming to serve various market segments.
2010 Paris Motor Show
At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Renault revealed the "Zoe Preview," a near-production prototype (approximately 90% finalized) intended for mass-market release from its Flins manufacturing facility in France, targeting a mid-2012 launch. This model incorporated QuickDrop battery swapping capabilities along with DC fast charging support.
Additionally, Renault showcased updated versions of the Twizy and confirmed that the Kangoo Express Z.E. van would become available from mid-2011 onward, with pricing ranging from €15,000 (excluding VAT and after applicable French tax incentives) up to €20,000 (excluding VAT without incentives), depending on the region.
Production models
In 2010, Renault announced its initial production electric vehicles slated for release in 2011: the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. Prospective buyers across several countries could secure reservations through the Renault-ZE website, although pricing details were not immediately disclosed.
The Zoe city car—previewed by the Zoé Z.E. Concept—was scheduled for assembly at Renault's Flins plant in France, while production of the Twizy-based model was planned at Valladolid in Spain.
Battery supplies were initially procured from Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC), a joint venture between Nissan and NEC based in Japan, while Renault simultaneously developed battery manufacturing operations within France, Japan, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
By September 2016, global sales of Renault’s all-electric Z.E. lineup had exceeded 100,000 units worldwide. Among these, the Renault Zoe distinguished itself as the leading model with over 50,000 units sold globally by June 2016 across both passenger and commercial variants.
In November 2017, Renault initiated an electric car-sharing service in Haifa, Israel, deploying a fleet of 100 public Renault Zoe vehicles equipped with designated parking spots and smart card access systems.
Prominent electric models within Renault’s portfolio include:
- Renault Twizy
- Renault Fluence Z.E / Renault Samsung SM3 Z.E
- Renault Kangoo Z.E and Kangoo Z.E Hydrogen
- Renault Zoe
- Renault Master Z.E and Master Z.E Hydrogen
- Renault City K-ZE
- Renault Twingo Z.E.
- Renault Trucks D Z.E.
See also
External links
- Renault Z.E. – Zero Emission Vehicle
- Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan: Electric Vehicles to Achieve Three to Four Times Greater Range Soon
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedFZE1 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedFZE3 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedRenault100K - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedZoe150K