He also revealed that the core model for the Z.E. range, the Zoe supermini, will arrive in at the middle of next year. Renault is pinning most of its hopes of market success on the car, of which it expects to sell 150,000 units per year, according to Automotive News. At first glance, the figures sound a bit to ambitious, but Renault forecasts that EV sales will account for about 10 percent of demand in Europe by 2020.
The concept version of the car made its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, where it was well received. It was about the same size as a Clio and came with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, which we don’t expect to make it to production. Power came from a 60 kW (80 horsepower) electric motor that also produces 222 Nm (164 lb-ft) of torque.
When the concept was revealed in Paris, it was announced that a full charge will take from 6 to 8 hours and can be achieved in two different ways: either with a Wall Box that you connect to your home's outlet, or by optional EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). Unfortunately, the price tag for the Zoe is still unknown.
Before the Zoe hits the European market next year, the two-seat Twizy quadricycle will be launched in France in December and in January 2012 in Italy. Prices will start at €6,990 including tax, but you’ll have to pay €45 a month for battery leasing.
"The Kangoo Z.E. is the first of a broader range of battery-powered light commercial vehicles we are currently developing," Bousquet said.
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