For most of this summer Renault has had an astonishing offer on the sale of the all-electric ZOE. However on 1st September Renault announced that the low prices would only last until the end of the month:

£5000 deposit contribution on ZOE Dynamique Nav

That means that this offer has just a couple of days left to run. This applies to all ZOE Dynamique Navs – the main model – for sale in the UK.

In particular it means that the current amazing Fuel Included offer will also run out next week:

New Renault ZOE from £145 per month fuel included

– a new car with 10000 miles of free fuel for less than many people spend just on fuel.

For more details on this offer before it runs out contact Trevor at Fuel Included on 07920-790600, or email trevor.larkum@fuelincluded.com.

Source: Fuel Included

The first driver to take a UK driving test in a Renault ZOE was successful and passed on 14th September.

This is the first test passed in a ZOE in the UK, as far as is known. Young drivers have previously been able to try out a ZOE, for example at the Bluewater’s Young Driver facility, but a ZOE has never actually been used for a driving test. This contrasts with the fact that the ZOE in France can actually be ordered in a driving school version with double pedals.

It is also known that drivers have learned in other electric cars including in the Nissan Leaf in Stoke-on-Trent, and at least one has passed in a Leaf in Sunderland, and a Vauxhall Ampera in Hull.

Our congratulations go to Emma for this feat, and a possible place in the history books!

 

Next Green Car carry out an indepedent range test

The Renault ZOE has earned a name for itself as the most affordable electric car and you do get a lot of bang for your buck with this all-electric supermini. Innovative purchase options allow you to either buy the car outright or part-purchase the car and rent the battery, an attractive proposition for low mileage drivers or those concerned about battery degradation.

On an independent range test designed by Next Green Car to reflect realistic driving styles on typical roads the ZOE managed to cover 103 miles on a single charge making it suitable for the vast majority of car journeys. The network of rapid AC chargers suitable for use with the ZOE is smaller than for the LEAF (which use rapid DC units) but growing quickly.

Styled to fit in as a ‘normal’ car, the minimalist style inside and out makes the ZOE an attractive city runabout. Five doors, five seats and a big boot for its class make it an ideal second car for the school run, weekly shop and commuting to work and even a great first car for those who don’t need to travel long distances regularly.

Read more: Next Green Car via Fuel Included

The R240 motor extends ZOE’s range, while the Cargo version of the Twizy facilitates city deliveries

A pioneer of the affordable all-electric vehicle, Groupe Renault is the only manufacturer to offer a comprehensive range of electric cars, which it has just extended with two new innovations.

Courtesy of the R240 motor, customers who use the ZOE for everyday motoring will benefit from improved range. Combined with a battery featuring an electronic management system, the R240 motor increases the ZOE’s range by 30 kilometres to 240 kilometres (NEDC). It also cuts the car’s charging times by an average 10% at public charging stations, thanks to the upgraded Caméléon charger.

The Twizy Cargo is the version of the Twizy designed for transporting goods. Its rear seat has been replaced by a waterproof boot with a 180-litre load-carrying capacity, accessible via a rear door. Just as compact as the Twizy, the Twizy Cargo is the ideal solution for city delivery or rapid intervention companies. It is fully customisable with decals to advertise your business, and cost-effective to use.

The new R240 motor extends ZOE’s range

The ZOE’s new R240 motor is combined with a battery featuring an optimised electronic management system to offer a longer driving range and improved charging performance. Unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the R240 motor went on sale on in the spring (dates varied depending on the country).

More than 25,000 ZOE models are currently on the roads in some 20 countries.

30 kilometres(1) of extra range and 10% faster charging times(2)

The R240 motor’s range, unmatched in the segment, is 240 kilometres (NEDC) – that’s 30 kilometres more than the Q210 motor.

Renault’s engineers improved the motor’s efficiency by optimising its electronic management system.
Improved efficiency helps to cut the ZOE’s electric energy consumption when in use, while delivering the same level of performance. A motor which consumes less energy provides a longer driving range.

Courtesy of the R240 motor, the ZOE’s charging times have been cut by 10% on average compared with the Q210 motor for everyday driving situations.

Renault’s engineers have also upgraded the Caméléon(3) charger in order to shorten charging times at low power levels and increase the ZOE’s range. For each minute the battery is charged, users get extra kilometres of range.

The ZOE’s new motor helps meet a wider range of needs.

The release of the R240 motor underpins Renault’s policy to bring electric motoring to as many people as possible. The motor’s 240-kilometre range (NEDC) ensures greater flexibility for customers who use their ZOE for everyday driving situations. The upgraded Caméléon charger, which is available with the R240 motor, is particularly effective when connected to 3 to 22kW charging points, which make up more than 95% of the charging infrastructure currently installed.
In addition, the Q210 motor will remain on sale in the Renault network, so the ZOE can be charged at 43kW fast charging points, particularly by customers who use motorway corridors.

(1) NEDC. (2) At low power levels. (3) The CaméléonTM charger patented by Renault adapts to the different power levels available at charging points. It is also compatible with all public charging stations.

High-tech, 100% Renault design

The R240, a motor designed and manufactured by Renault, in France.

The R240 motor was designed and developed by Renault’s engineers at the company’s Technocentre southwest of Paris and at the Cléon plant west of Paris, where it is manufactured. This plant is located near Renault’s Flins plant, where the ZOE is built.
(The ZOE was previously available with only one motor, the Q210, built by a supplier in Spain.)

Renault has filed for 95 patents for the motor’s innovative design.

The R240 motor is a synchronous electric motor with rotor coil. It features a power output of 65kW, torque of 220Nm and a built-in Caméléon charger. The R240 motor boasts improved range and charging performance thanks to the optimised electronic management of each component, and its size has been reduced. Renault filed for 95 patents for the motor’s innovative design and architecture.

Renault’s engineers succeeded in cutting the motor’s size by 10% without sacrificing performance.

Although the R240 motor is more compact than the Q210, it boasts the same level of performance (power, torque, etc.) thanks to the engineers’ focus on three main areas:

– Integration: modules are no longer stacked, having been replaced by fully integrated modules.

– Downsizing: smaller modules have been designed and assembled to meet precise requirements (gaps reduced between modules, external power cables removed).

– Simplification: an air cooling system is now used for the assembly (ducts between modules have been removed).

The junction box, the power electronics unit and the Caméléon charger are now in a single unit called the Power Electronic Controller. The unit is 25% smaller.

The R240 underscores Renault’s expertise as an engine and electric motor manufacturer.

To design, develop and manufacture this high-tech motor, Renault Groupe has drawn on its expertise in the development of both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles.
Renault is involved in in the FIA Formula E Championship. Because of its electric vehicle expertise, the Group was chosen as a technical partner to the series. Renault tests EV technology in racing with a view to continually improving the performance of road-going EVs.

Renault’s Cléon plant is a flagship production facility specialising in high value-added engines and gearboxes (Energy engines, Renault Sport engines, etc.). For the past two years, it has been manufacturing the ZOE’s junction box, which was developed by the Technocentre’s engineering centre. The Cléon plant has built on its vast experience to produce the R240 motor’s Power Electronic Controller. The plant has also gained expertise
in coil technology, thanks to upskilling developed within the Alliance.

Source: Renault Media via Fuel Included

• TAG Farnborough Airport takes delivery of three 100% electric Renault ZOEs
• Cars will be used as airside staff shuttles
• ZOE will help the airport meet its sustainability and carbon footprint targets

Europe’s leading business aviation airport has taken delivery of a fleet of three 100 percent electric Renaults ZOEs as part of its ongoing strategy to reduce its carbon footprint.

TAG Farnborough Airport – the only dedicated business aviation airport in the UK receives thousands of business jets every year – is using the vehicles to shuttle staff between buildings, including the main control tower.

The vehicles make a contribution to the airport’s continued efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and meet the goals set out in its sustainability charter, which covers everything from waste management and energy usage to vehicle emissions.

The ZOE – rated the best electric vehicle to own in the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey and back-to-back winner of What Car? Magazine’s ‘Best Electric Car Under £20,000’ award –offers true zero emissions transport with no tailpipe emissions, in addition to ultra low running costs.

Miles Thomas, Environment Manager at TAG Farnborough Airport, said

“We monitor our carbon footprint very closely across all our services and departments, and being able to reduce the environmental impact of the staff vehicle movements across the airport was a driving factor for us.

“We looked at all the electric vehicles on the market but only the ZOE ticked all our boxes. The car offers the low running costs and zero emissions and it’s also small, functional, simple and enjoyable to drive and has an impressive range.”

He added: “The reaction of our staff to the three ZOEs has been fantastic and very positive. People are enjoying driving them and we’ll definitely be looking to add more EVs to our fleet as a result.”

Ben Fletcher, Renault UK Electric Vehicle Product Manager, said:

“Every day more and more fleet operators are discovering the benefits of Renault electric vehicles.

“The ZOE is a practical, spacious and well-equipped family car but its innovative electric technology means it can offer incredible savings in running costs and whole life costs as well as making a real impact on a business’ carbon footprint.

“Drivers love them too, as evidenced by the ZOE’s performance in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2015, and that makes the model a win-win for fleet operators and families,” added Fletcher.

A spacious five-door family hatchback, the ZOE can cover up to 130 miles on a single charge according to official New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) figures.

A new longer-range version of ZOE, with a new Renault-developed motor, was announced at this year’s Geneva Motor Show which will bring a best-in-class official range of 149 miles when it joins the ZOE line-up this summer.

The ZOE can be charged in as little as 30 minutes using a fast charger, available in hundreds of locations across the UK, but retail customers can also have a 7kW wall-mounted charger – capable of fully charging the ZOE in three to four hours – fitted free of charge at their home. Renault is the only manufacturer to offer this service.

Available in three distinct trim levels, all ZOEs feature generous levels of standard specification and innovative technologies, including smartphone-controllable climate control and satellite navigation, and all the creature comforts the modern driver demands.

Prices start from just £13,443 RRP (including Government Plug-In Car Grant) when opting for the flexibility of battery leasing and £18,443 RRP (including PiCG) for those purchasing outright.

Renault is one of the global leaders in electric vehicle technology and is the only manufacturer with three 100% electric vehicles in its range – the Twizy urban vehicle, ZOE hatchback and Kangoo Z.E Van.

Sales in the UK of Renault’s electric models were up 90 per cent in 2014 to 1,286 vehicles and continued this strong growth in the first three months of 2015 with sales up 148 per cent to 401 vehicles.

Source: Renault Press Office via Fuel Included