Renault to Build Zero-Emission Car in France

French manufacturer Renault has just confirmed that it will produce its future zero-emission electric city car in France at its Flins production plant near Paris. Furthermore, it revealed that the Zoe Z.E. Concept showcased at the Frankfurt Auto Show will serve as the base platform for the upcoming model which, according to preliminary figures, is expected to account for two-thirds of the Group's EV sales in Europe.

The Flins plant was mainly selected because the facility is already specialized in the production of B segment cars, such as Clio Campus and the new Clio.

"The Flins choice is also based on Renault’s objective to produce cars as close as possible to the markets in which they will be sold, namely Europe, to optimize logistics flows. The Flins site will thus become a central hub in Renault's EV activity, producing the company's core-range electric model as well as manufacturing and recycling batteries," Renault said in a release.

Additionally, the Flins facility will handle battery production projected to start in mid-2012. The annual production goal is 100,000 units, with some of the resulting batteries to be available to other manufacturers also developing electric vehicles.

“Realizing the potential of zero-emission mobility on a mass scale requires unique collaboration between public and private sectors," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault and Nissan. "We welcome the vision and commitment made today by the French government, the CEA and the FSI to invest with the Renault Nissan Alliance in the future of clean transportation.”