Such an agreement was reached during the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, when Renault and Europcar signed a deal that stated that the car rental company will include a fleet of Renault electric cars in its offer and will also support the development of a charging infrastructure for it. The deal would become effective in 2011.
Now, the two companies have completed the first stage of the aforementioned memorandum of understanding, as Europcar pre-ordered 500 Renault EVs, due to hit the street of important European cities in the 3rd quarter of next year.
“Europcar reaches a decisive point in bringing electric vehicles into the rental market; they will join the eco-friendly fleet that already features on our web sites.” stated Rafael Girona, Chief Operating Officer of Europcar Groupe. “The interaction between our network and Renault’s technology will genuinely pave the way for a major advance in mobility solutions. With the addition to its fleet of the Renault Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. models from 2011 and then of the Zoe Z.E. in 2012, Europcar is giving substance even more tangibly to the
commitments set forth in its Charter for the Environment.”
“Renault firmly believes that the leverage created by short-term rentals will help to drive adoption of electric vehicles by individual customers, in addition to its distribution network. As part of our vision of electric vehicles or everyone’s daily use, we are delighted to be teaming up with Europcar, a global provider of mobility solutions," added Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Senior Vice President, Renault’s Corporate Sales Division.
Renault’s electric vehicle range will be introduced to the market in 2011 and will include a saloon, an urban compact vehicle and a light commercial vehicle (a Kangoo EV). 2012 will see the introduction of a 4-meter compact sedan that will accommodate 5 passengers.
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