Renault Zoe

Renault Zoe
Overview
Manufacturer Renault
Production 2012–present
Assembly Flins, France
Body and chassis
Class Supermini
Body style 5-door hatchback
Powertrain
Electric motor 65 kW (88 PS; 87 bhp)
220 N·m (162 lb·ft)[1]
Battery 22 kW·h lithium ion battery
Range 210 km (130 mi) (NEDC)[2]
Plug-in charging max 43 kW[3] on IEC Type 2 (including 3ϕ 63A 400V)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,588 mm (101.9 in)
Length 4,084 mm (160.8 in)
Width 1,730 mm (68.1 in)
Height 1,562 mm (61.5 in)
Kerb weight 1,468 kg (3,236 lb)

Renault Zoe is a five-door supermini electric car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The Zoe has a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a range of 210 km (130 mi) under the NEDC cycle.[2]

Renault had previously unveiled under the Zoe name a number of different concept cars. Initially in 2005 as the Zoe City Car and later as the Zoe Z.E. electric concept was shown in two different versions in 2009 and 2010 under the Renault Z.E. name. A production ready version of the Zoe was shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.[4]

Retail customer deliveries began in in France in December 2012,[5] with cumulative sales of 5,511 units through December 2013, allowing the Zoe to become the top selling all-electric car in the French market since 2010.[6] European sales during 2013 reached 8,792 units,[7] with the French market accounting for 62.7% of the region sales.[6][7] Global sales reached the 10,000 unit milestone in January 2014, with most units delivered in Europe.[8]

Concepts

Zoe City Car Concept (2005)

The Renault Zoe City Car concept (or Z17) was shown at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show[9] featuring 3 seats, the 3.45m long open top vehicle was proposed as an urban focused car.[10] This Zoe had no connection with the later electric Zoe concept to follow four years later.

Zoe Concept (2009)

The Renault Zoe Concept was shown to the public in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show to show the company's vision for a Clio sized electric car.[11] It was powered by a 95 bhp (71 kW; 96 PS) electric motor (mounted at the front) and lithium-ion batteries (under the seats). It was estimated it would have a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph (140 km/h), and could be charged at a conventional 230 V socket, or fast-charged from a high-voltage supply to 80 percent in only 20 minutes. A third innovative option was to swap the batteries for a new pack at a Renault Quickdrop centre.[12]

The design was tear-drop shaped featuring a see-through roof features solar panels which run the air-conditioning system [13] and gull-wing doors. A new climate control system was also shown. developed with L'Oréal, which could spray essential oils into the interior to cut out harmful exterior smells, or rehydrate the interior to prevent skin drying out.

Zoe Preview (2010)

The Zoe Preview was a substantially revised version of the Zoe concept was shown to the public at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and was claimed to be a near-definitive representation (90% showroom ready) of the final version of the car. Many of the existing design features of the 2009 concept model were discarded such as the gull-wing doors.

The technical specifications had changed from the 2009 version with the power of the electric motor reduced to 79 bhp (59 kW; 80 PS), a reduced top speed of 84 mph (135 km/h), but still with a 100-mile range.[14] It was suggested that the Zoe ZE would be priced from €15,000.[15]

A planned Renault battery plant near Paris that will supply batteries for the vehicle was delayed due to technical constraints. Construction was to start in the second quarter of 2012 and production of batteries was expected to be delayed to 2014 or 2015. Instead, Renault will have to buy batteries from a joint venture between Nissan Motor and NEC, and from LG Chem of South Korea.[16]

Renault Zoe City Car 2005 
Renault Zoe Z.E. Concept 2009 
Renault Zoe Preview 2010 
Renault Zoe in Curitiba, Brazil 2014 

Production version

2012 Zoe's frontal view
2012 Zoe's rear view

The production version of the Zoe was announced in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. Similar to the 2010 version and the design credited to Jean Semeris, it is a five-door supermini at 4080 mm long, a little longer than the Renault Clio.[17] Retail customer deliveries began in limited number in France in December 2012, and Renault planned to increase availability during the first quarter of 2013. The first Zoe was delivered to Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Industrial Recovery.[18] In France the Zoe pricing starts at €20,700(US$27,250) before applying the existing €6,300 (US$8,300) tax incentive, plus a monthly fee for the battery. The cost of leasing the battery for 36 months starts from €79/month (US$104/month) for an annual distance travelled of 12,500 km (7,800 mi) and includes comprehensive breakdown assistance.[2]

The Zoe is powered by a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, driving a 65 kW (87 bhp) synchronous electric motor. Maximum torque is 220 N·m (162 lb-ft) with a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph). The NEDC cycle range is 210 km (130 mi). Renault estimates that in suburban use, the Zoe can achieve around 100 km (62 mi) in cold weather and 150 km (93 mi) in temperate conditions. The car features a charging system called "Caméléon" (Chameleon) charger that allows the Zoe to be charged at any level of power, taking between 30 minutes and nine hours.[2] The particular grid in parts of Norway without grounding requires a special charger, which is included with all Zoes in Norway for summer 2015.[19]

Safety

The Zoe received a five-star Euro NCAP 2013-rating. The score was:

Euro NCAP test results
Renault Zoe (2013)[20]
Test Points %
Overall:
Adult occupant: 32 89%
Child occupant: 39 80%
Pedestrian: 24 66%
Safety assist: 8 85%

Sales and markets

Renault Zoe Zero Emissions (ZE) badge

Retail customer deliveries began in limited numbers in France in December 2012, and availability was increased during the first quarter of 2013.[5][18] A total of 48 units were registered in France during December 2012, and cumulative sales reached 5,559 units through December 2013.[6] The Zoe became the top selling all-electric vehicle in the country in January 2013, and kept the monthly lead through December 2013, representing 62.8% of electric car sales in the country during 2013. In addition, the Zoe became the best selling electric car in France accounting for registrations in the electric passenger car segment since 2010 through December 2013.[6]

Deliveries in the UK began in March 2013,[21] and Germany, Italy and Spain in April 2013. Cumulative global sales totaled 8,857 units through December 2013.[7] Out of 8,792 cars sold in Europe through December 2013, 62.7% were sold in France (5,511).[6][7] Germany was the second top selling market, with 1,019 units delivered through December 2013,[22] followed by the Netherlands with 547 units registered.[23] Sales reached the 10,000 unit milestone in January 2014.[8] Cumulative global sales reached 16,397 units by the end of October 2014.[24]

The Renault Zoe was officially launched in the Norwegian market in April 2014, though retail deliveries began in late March. Unlike other European countries, the Zoe is sold in Norway with the battery pack included and there are no battery leasing options available.[25]

Global sales and top country markets
Renault Zoe sales by top national markets
2012 - June 2014
CountryCumulative
sales(1)		Sales
2Q 2014		Sales
2013		Sales
2012
 France[6]7,637 2,078 5,511 48
 Germany[22][26]1,532 513 1,019  
 Netherlands[23][27]632 85 547  
 Austria[28][29]554 185 369 
  Switzerland[30]525 183 342  
 Italy[31][32]284 81 203  
 United Kingdom(2)[33]252 NA 252  
 Spain[34][35] 226 44 182  
 Denmark[36]145 53 92 
 Belgium[37][38]119 3485 
Global sales[7]12,6313,7068,85768
Notes: (1) CYTD sales through June 2014. (2) UK sales up to December 2013.

Recognition

The Zoe was one of the top three finalists for the 2013 World Green Car of the Year.[39]

Criticism

The Electronic Frontier Foundation has criticised Renault's decision to lease the Zoe battery packs to consumers as a rental service with an alleged Digital Rights Management (DRM) software. They claim it could render the vehicle unusable if the owner ceases payment or Renault withdraws support.[40] Renault's monthly fee for the battery and its alleged use of DRM has also been strongly criticised by some technology writers.[41] However, Renault publicly denied the use of DRM technology through its Official Twitter account.[42]

Name dispute

In May 2010, a Parisian woman called Zoe Renault commenced legal action to try and force Renault to re-think their choice of name amid claims it would lead to mocking jibes.[43] In November 2010, a French judge ruled that Renault could use the name.[44]

Motorsport

Renault entered three Zoes (Z.E. ZOE Team) into the 5th ZENN (Zero Emission No Noise) Montecarlo Rally held from 21 to 23 March 2014.[45] A Zoe ended first on the general classification.[46]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Renault Zoe.

References

  1. ↑ "Renault Zoe Expression". Renault. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Renault Media (2012-03-09). "Renault features production version of ZOE, Twizy EV at Geneva". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2012-05-14.
  3. ↑ "Renau Zoe". Retrieved 2013-08-08. can be charged to any level of power (up to 43 kW)
  4. ↑ "Geneva motor show 2012: Renault Zoe". What Car?. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Antony Ingram (2012-12-17). "First Renault Zoe Electric Car Delivered In France". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Autoactu.com. "Chiffres de vente & immatriculations de voitures électriques en France" [Sales figures & electric car registrations in France] (in French). Automobile Propre. Retrieved 2014-08-09. See "Ventes de voitures électriques en 2014/2013/2012/2011."
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Groupe Renault (July 2014). "Ventes Mensuelles" [Monthly Sales] (in French). Renault.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10. Includes passenger and light utility variants. Click on "Ventes mensuelles du groupe (décembre 2011) (xls, 183 Ko)" "Ventes mensuelles (décembre 2012) (xls, 289 Ko)" - Ventes mensuelles (décembre 2013) (xlsx, 227 Ko)" - "Ventes mensuelles (juin 2014) (xls, 217 Ko)" to download the files for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 sales, and open the tab "Sales by Model".
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Michaël Torregrossa (2014-01-29). "Voiture électrique – La Renault Zoé souffle sa première bougie" [Electric car - the Renault Zoe celebrates its first birthday] (in French). Association pour l'Avenir du Véhicule Electrique Méditerranéen (AVEM). Retrieved 2014-02-08.
  9. ↑ "BBC News". BBC News. 2005-03-02. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  10. ↑ "Car Pages". Car Pages. 2005-03-01. Retrieved 2012-05-05.
  11. ↑ "Renault Zoe ZE electric concept at 2009 Frankfurt motor show". Car. 2009-09-15. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  12. ↑ "Renault Zoe | First Drives | Car Reviews". Auto Express. 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  13. ↑ "Renault Zoe | First Drives | Car Reviews". Auto Express. 2009-10-31. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  14. ↑ "Paris motor show: Renault Zoe". Autocar. 2010-10-01. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  15. ↑ "Renault Zoe ZE electric car 'to cost £13,000' in UK". Carmagazine.co.uk. 2010-05-13. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  16. ↑ Helen Beresford (2011-06-15). "Renault says battery plant project delayed". Reuters.
  17. ↑ "Geneva show 2012: Renault Zoe". Autocar. 2012-03-06. Retrieved 2012-03-07.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Renault Press Release (2012-12-17). "Renault delivers first ZOE EV". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2012-12-17.
  19. ↑ Dalløkken, Per Erlien. "Norsk selskap løste Renaults ladeproblem med oljeteknologi" Teknisk Ukeblad, 21 January 2015. Accessed: 22 January 2015.
  20. ↑ "Euro NCAP results for Renault Zoe" (PDF). euroncap.com. 2013.
  21. ↑ Mat Gasnier (2013-05-07). "UK January-March 2013: Discover the Top 328 best-sellers!". Best Selling Cars Blog. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Kraftfahrt-Bundesamtes (KBA) (January 2014). "Neuzulassungen von Personenkraftwagen im Dezember 2013 nach Segmenten und Modellreihen" [New registrations of passenger cars in December 2013 by segment and model series] (PDF) (in German). KBA. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 RAI (2014-01-24). "Verkoopstatistieken - nieuwverkoop personenautos" [Sales Statistics - New passenger car sales] (in Dutch). RAI Vereniging. Retrieved 2014-02-08. Download pdf file for detailed sales in 2013 ("Download nieuwverkoop personenautos 201312").
  24. ↑ Mark Kane (2014-11-22). "Renault Electric Car Sales Quietly Surpass 50,000". InsideEVs.com. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  25. ↑ Michaël Torregrossa (2014-04-08). "La Renault Zoé arrive en Norvège, capitale mondiale du véhicule électrique" [Renault Zoe arrives in Norway, the world capital of the electric vehicle] (in French). Association pour l'Avenir du Véhicule Electrique Méditerranéen (AVEM). Retrieved 2014-04-09.
  26. ↑ Kraftfahrt-Bundesamtes (KBA) (July 2014). "Neuzulassungen von Personenkraftwagen im Juni 2014 nach Segmenten und Modellreihen" [New registrations of passenger cars in June 2014 by make and model series] (PDF) (in German). KBA. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  27. ↑ RAI (2014-07-25). "Actuele verkoopcijfers" [Current sales] (in Dutch). RAI Vereniging. Retrieved 2014-08-10. Download the pdf file for detailed sales by model during the first half of 2014: "nieuwverkoop personenautos 201406".
  28. ↑ KFZ- Wirtschaftsverlag (2014-01-01). "Aktuelle Zulassungsstatistik" [current registration statistics] (in German). Automotive.co.at. Retrieved 2014-01-22. See data for "Jän - Dez 2013" and "Jän - Dez 2012"
  29. ↑ Jose Pontes (2014-07-15). "Austria June 2014". EVSales.com. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  30. ↑ Vereinigung Schweizer Automobil-Importeure. "Autoverkäufe nach Modellen - Modellstatistik" [Passenger cars by model - Statistics by model] (in German). Auto Schweiz Suisse. Retrieved 2014-08-04. Under "Modellstatistik" download the xls file "Januar - Juni 2014" for 2014 sales, and under "Modellstatistiken 2008–2013" click "2013 Statistik" to download the file "ModellePW2013" with sales by model for 2013.
  31. ↑ Luca Moroni (2014-01-03). "I dati di vendita di auto elettriche e ibride a dicembre 2013 in Italia" [Sales figures of electric and hybrid cars in Italy through December 2013] (in Italian). Green Start. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  32. ↑ Luca Moroni (2014-07-08). "I dati di vendita di auto elettriche e ibride a giugno 2014 in Italia" [Sales figures of electric and hybrid cars in Italy up to June 2014] (in Italian). Green Start. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
  33. ↑ Jose Pontes (2014-01-27). "UK December 2013 (Draft Edition)". EV Sales. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  34. ↑ Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM) (January 2014). "Datos de Mercado: Diciembre 2013 - Matriculaciones de automóviles" [Market data: December 2013 - Automobiles registrations] (in Spanish). ANIACAM. Retrieved 2014-04-19. Download the file "DossierAutomóviles_diciembre13.xls (929KB)" with current month and cumulative sales for 2013.
  35. ↑ Asociación Nacional de Importadores de Automóviles, Camiones, Autobuses y Motocicletas (ANIACAM) (July 2014). "Datos de Mercado: Junio 2014 - Matriculaciones de automóviles" [Market data: June 2014 - Automobiles registrations] (in Spanish). ANIACAM. Retrieved 2014-08-10. Download the file "DossierAutomóviles_juno14.xls (929KB)" with current month and cumulative sales during first half of 2014.
  36. ↑ De Danske Bilimportører (July 2014). "Statistik - Personbiler: "januar - juni 2014"" [Statistics - Passenger cars: 2014- January-June] (in Danish). Bilimp. Retrieved 2014-08-08. For other years select 2013/2012 - "Hele året" for the corresponding year and click on "Pr. model" for details of sales by brand and model.
  37. ↑ Jose Pontes (2014-01-18). "Belgium December 2013". EV Sales. Retrieved 2014-01-20.
  38. ↑ Mat Gasnier (2014-07-31). "Belgium June 2014: Renault Mégane #1, Captur on podium". Best Selling Cars Blog. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  39. ↑ PRNewswire (2013-03-28). "And Now There Is One.... Tesla Model S Declared 2013 World Green Car". International Business Times. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
  40. ↑ Parker Higgins (2013-11-13). "DRM in Cars Will Drive Consumers Crazy". Electronic Frontier Foundation. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  41. ↑ http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20131108/09350825182/renault-introduces-drm-cars.shtml
  42. ↑ "Renault Twitter statement". Twitter. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2013-11-16.
  43. ↑ Murphy, Zoe (2010-05-21). "Renault urged to scrap car name Zoe". BBC News. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  44. ↑ "BBC News - Renault can name new car Zoe as girls' case rejected". Bbc.co.uk. 2010-05-21. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  45. ↑ "Renault ZOE Electric Vehicle enters ZENN Monte-Carlo Rally". Motorsportchannel.com. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
  46. ↑ "5ème Rallye Monte Carlo Zero Emission No Noise. Combined official final classification (regularity and consumption)" (PDF). acm.mc. Automobile Club de Monaco. 2014-03-23. Retrieved 2014-03-25.

External links