Renault Introduces Kangoo Express ZE Electric LCV at €20,000
23 September 2010
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| Kangoo Express ZE. Click to enlarge. |
At the International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Renault is premiering the definitive version of Kangoo Express ZE (Zero Emission), the first all-electric van developed and built by a vehicle manufacturer. (Earlier post.)
Kangoo Express ZE will be sold in Europe at a price of €20,000 (US$26,800) excluding VAT, prior to any tax incentive that might be deductible. In France, for example, a state subsidy of €5,000 will reduce the price of Renault Kangoo Express ZE down to €15,000 (US$20,000) excluding VAT, the same price as a Kangoo Express of identical diesel-engined power.
Ownership of the vehicle will be separate to that of the battery. Customers will be able to purchase or lease their ZE van and take out a subscription for the battery costing from €72 (US$96) excluding VAT per month.
Renault Kangoo Express ZE is 4.21m long with a load capacity of between 3 and 3.5 m3, a load length of 2.50m and a payload of 650 kg (1,433 lbs). The batteries are located in the center of the vehicle under the floor, so load capacity is exactly the same as on the internal combustion-engined Kangoo Express. The asymmetric hinged rear doors and sliding slide door provide easy access to the cargo area, which is large enough to take a euro-pallet.
Kangoo Express ZE is powered by a 22 kWh Li-ion battery pack. The electric motor has a power output of 44 kW (60 hp) and a maximum speed of 10,500 rpm; maximum torque is 226 N·m (167 lb-ft). Energy efficiency is 90%. Low rolling resistance tires improve energy performance even further.
Kangoo Express ZE has a range of 160 km (99 miles) over an NEDC combined cycle. Renault has developed a special MMI (man machine interface) display to inform the driver of the remaining battery charge and operational range:
- a gauge next to the speedometer shows the remaining battery charge,
- an econometer displays the level of energy consumption in real time,
- the econometer uses a new colour code: light blue for “normal” use, dark blue for optimum operation (energy recovery) and red for excessive consumption that will impact vehicle range,
- the onboard computer is tailored to the characteristics of electric vehicles. It shows the remaining range and number of kWh, as well as real-time and average consumption.
New functions will also be available, such as pre-heating and pre-cooling during recharging, to maximize vehicle range.
The electric van will be produced in France at the Renault MCA (Maubeuge Carrosserie Automobile) plant in Maubeuge, on the same production line as the internal combustion-engined version. It will take full advantage of the first Kangoo’s production know-how, supplier fabric and logistics network. This will make it possible to start production quickly as well as ensuring high quality standards from the outset, Renault says.
Vehicles can be pre-ordered now on the website www.renault-ze.com.
The diesel version is rated at 18.2 km/l combined. To do 16000 km (10000 miles) you thus consume 880 liters of diesel. In many parts of Europe a liter of diesel costs $2 (equal to $7.4 gallon) so total cost to go 16000 km on diesel is 1760 USD.
To drive 16000 km on electricity you need 22kWh * (16000/160) = 2200 kWh. In Europe a kWh will typically cost you 0.3 USD so electricity cost to drive 16000 km is 660 USD. Add the lease of the battery 12month*96USD = 1152 USD. Total driving cost in EV for 16000 km is therefore 1812 USD.
The conclusion is that you will save on the operational costs compared to a diesel version if you do over 16000 km per year in the EV version and the two versions costs about the same after incentives. I think the EV version is priced to sell well.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 23 September 2010 at 12:53 AM
I am paying £0.06 per kWh for electricity at night time (which is when you would recharge).
That works out at 1.2 pence per mile electricity costs for the van, vs 10.5 pence per mile for diesel (we pay ~£1.20 per litre here in the UK right now). OK the battery lease adds a bit, but it still works out cheaper on electric in the UK at least.
Posted by: clett | 23 September 2010 at 01:31 AM
I'm getting a Leaf next April, my math says electricity will cost about $25/month here in Georgia. even without off peak rates. For my 15-20,000 miles per year I will save the net cost of the car back in 10 years. (We have both federal and state tax credits) I think it's a no brainer!
Posted by: Dave K. | 23 September 2010 at 05:33 AM
This seems appropriate for limited duty cycle light cargo use, so it's nice to have a choice for that particular class of vehicles.
Posted by: Will S | 23 September 2010 at 06:03 AM
If it's used as a work vehicle, which it's designed to be, and driven only 5 days a week, it only needs to average 38.46 miles a day to break 10,000.
Posted by: drivin98 | 23 September 2010 at 06:57 AM
Henrik, we pay only $0.062/Kwh and not $0.30/Kwh, that is about 5 times less.
This seems to be an ideal vehicle for (most) Postal Delivery. France could buy 50,000 and USA 250000+. Worldwide, some 3+ M such vehicles could be used for Postal delivery services.
Posted by: HarveyD | 23 September 2010 at 08:28 AM
Dave here is a guy who is even luckier. Lance is reported to get his Leaf next week by the end of September the very first Leaf made for retail. http://green.autoblog.com/2010/09/24/nissan-to-deliver-lance-armstrongs-leaf-next-week/
Clett and Harvey in Copenhagen, Denmark where I live the kWh price is 2.1 DKK or 0.38 USD. 8 cents for production and distribution and about 30 cents in taxes per kWh. As a vehicle fuel it is still rather inexpensive at that price as you could drive 16000 km for just 836 USD. The battery lease is more expensive than electricity but that should come down in a few years when these batteries get mass produced big time.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 24 September 2010 at 09:27 AM
Henrik. I didn't know that electricity was taxed that much in Denmark. Here, the two regular sale taxes (5% Fed + 8.5% Prov) are applied and included into the average $0.062/Kwh. Hydro production cost is as low as $0.022/Kwh. When people move from ICE fuel vehicles to EVs, a special tax will have to be applied on electricity to compensate for lost revenues from very high fuel taxes. I don't know how we could differentiate between e-energy used for our all-electric homes and that used for EVs? Two different meters may be required. Governments cannot afford to lose revenues when we switch. Roads and bridges will still have to be built and maintained.
Posted by: HarveyD | 27 September 2010 at 11:46 AM
You are right but You can get a van rental San Francisco at www.airportvanrental.com. There are several from which to choose and there are rebates and discounts for repeat customers.
Posted by: herry085 | 28 September 2010 at 02:53 AM