Renault launches new site dedicated to its upcoming EV lineup [w/VIDEO]
Renault Fluence Zero Emissions Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault has launched a new site dedicated to promoting its upcoming model range of battery-powered cars. The site is actually about more than just the Fluence, Kangoo, Zoe and Twizy. It also offers explanations of how Renault hopes to make these cars mainstream and affordable. It appears from the information provided that Renault plans to offer all of its EVs sans battery. The energy storage system will all be leased separately with payments going to a chosen energy supplier. There will be three options for replenishing the charge.
Europeans can use their standard 220V / 10-16A outlet to charge in 6-8 hours. A standardized fast charge connector is currently being developed among multiple automakers and utilities which will facilitate 20-30 minute charges with a 400 V / 36 A, three phase source. Finally, Renault appears set to implement battery swap capabilities across its full lineup for 3-minute battery changes. Along with the main site there is a also a video blog that so far contains a series of videos shot at the Frankfurt motor show debut of the ZEV lineup. You can check out one the videos after the jump. Thanks to Shadowcast for the tip!
[Source: Renault-ZE.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3n1gma 1:24PM (10/11/2009)
Props to Renault for turning the heat up on the EV market. A lot of other companies want to wait 5 or 10 more years to get started on electric vehicles. Too bad we won't get any of these in the States. I'd drive one of those Fluences. Not to mention a 3 minute battery charge?! Sweeeeeet
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EV-1 7:15PM (10/11/2009)
VIVE LA FRANCE ! ! ! !
( yankees WILL be left behind - that is: further behind .. )
@"3n1gma" :
americans just simply want to buy their OWN battery packs, regardless of high
prices and and super-fast evolving technology and undecided formats.
Therefore rejecting the brilliant option of battery-swapping : an intelligent development
route that the rest of the world is grasping.
It says "3 minute battery CHANGES" , but I can see why you misread . . .
( I wouldn't want to think of the current JOLT! needed to smack XXX kWh into a battery pack in 3 minutes ! )
The average person will be happy buying a lower priced car, while batteries are evolving, pay a decent fee to rent a perfectly fresh batt-pack, usually charge at home overnight (when rates are low) , and on the odd occation just swap the batt-pack when called for. And still come out with A LOT CHEAPER DRIVING costs.
No big deal.
jmallx 2:27PM (10/11/2009)
This thing looks great.
Hopefully it will come to the States.
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Baumm III 8:34AM (10/12/2009)
"Renault plans to offer all of its EVs sans battery. The energy storage system will all be leased separately"
Well without me, if I buy a car, it is to be free, not to buy a right to pay every month
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EV-1 12:05PM (10/12/2009)
Oh... ( *yawn* )
Silly me...
...for thinking that would be below your dignity...
> "Baumm III " - - I take it you're not even embarrassed ?
skierpage 8:26PM (10/11/2009)
Nice, but these are all concepts. I got excited about the BMW E1 concept BEV sixteen years ago...
David Menochet says "zis car [The Fluence] will be the first electric car Renault will launch, already in 2011." But even the French Renault-ze.com web site has a big counter counting down 900 days, which is 2012-03-29. I think the Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus EV will be available before then in the USA. Renault has no plans to return to the USA; in Europe cars like the Smart ED should be out in 2011. (We need a calendar!)
The Flash animation for their Quickdrop Stations is fascinating, but it looks pretty expensive (robotic installation and removal, underground robotic pallets) and shows a standardized battery pack. Who pays for it, whose standard?
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Chris M 1:01AM (10/13/2009)
Because of their partnership with Project Better Place, it will be the standard PBP battery and battery changing system.
ffinder 1:56AM (10/13/2009)
Renault Fluence Zero Emissions EV is BEAUTIFUL!!
Nissan’s LEAF is uuuuglyyyy :^(
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Happytrails_Danny 4:42PM (10/24/2009)
So.... Since Renault & Chrysler are merged,
does that mean that they will share technology together
to get these plug in Electric Vehicles rolling ?
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superciliousness 11:58PM (10/24/2009)
@Happytrails_Danny
It is Fiat and Chrysler that merged isn't?
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