The Renault Zoe is the car that could tip the balance at the way buyers perceive electric vehicles, with the small French hatchback selling in Europe from just $19,900.
The well-equipped Zoe however, is sold without batteries and that is why it’s so cost effective. In Europe the batteries are leased on a three-year/12,500km per year agreement, with French buyers paying approximately $95 per month for the batteries or $3400 over three years with a warranty if anything goes wrong, they are replaced without cost.
By the time the Zoe is sold here in 2014, it will undercut similarly sized but higher priced electric vehicles by nearly 50 per cent.
The Zoe’s Electric motor produces 65kW and 220Nm of torque with an estimated travel range of 145 kilometres in suburban use with moderate weather conditions, but expect a 25 per cent travel loss in cold conditions.
Charging the batteries in Europe is via a regular wall-plug, but a special 32 amp three phase charger can recharge the compact vehicle in one hour. In Australia there will be another ‘re-charge’ alternative for expired leased batteries – A third party provider will lease the batteries which will have a fee charged for access to the charging network and the ‘Quick Drop’ battery swap station.
