Spy Shots: Is this the all-electric Renault Twingo ZE?
Late last week, the Internet rumormill was abuzz with reports that Renault would bring a trio of electric vehicles to the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall. Might one of those zero-emission automobiles be the Twingo ZE? According to Auto Express in the UK, a clay model for an all-electric Renault Twingo was spotted by French journalists from Auto Plus, and it will reportedly hit the market next year £13,000 plus a lease for the battery.If there's any truth to this particular rumor, the three-seat Twingo ZE will be powered by a 59-horsepower electric motor that's capable of pushing the car to 60 miles per hour in around 10 seconds and up to a top speed of 80 mph. Regenerative braking will be included in the package, which helps push maximum range to around 100 miles.
Of course, the car will be equipped with a plug that allows the car to be recharged from home, though we're not sure about the four-hour time that's being reported. Further, Renault dealerships would be equipped with battery swapping capabilities, probably using the Better Place technology.
Gallery: Renault Twingo
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 2:13PM (6/22/2009)
A 4 hour charge at home from a standard dryer outlet (240V 30A) would give you 29kWh, which should be about enough juice for 100 miles in a small, light vehicle such as this.
I don't know what the equivalent plug in Europe would be. I assume there is something similar for larger electric appliances.
Reply
Lad 2:58PM (6/22/2009)
Chassis by Renault; Battery by Nissan/NEC; Electrons by "Better Place."
As we speak, Israel, Norway, Australia and others are setting up to move into an all clean electric power, BEV society. Their goal is to accomplish this by 2020...10 years. Where will we be at that time?
DasBoese 7:33AM (6/23/2009)
Regular, everyday household outlet is 230V, 10A, but every household will have at least one outlet rated at 16A for washing machines, dryers and such.
Installation of a 32A, 230V or 400V 3-phase IEC 60309 socket is easily possible almost everywhere.