Renault features production version of ZOE, Twizy EV at Geneva
09 March 2012
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Renault ZOE. Click to enlarge. |
Renault used the 82nd International Geneva Motor Show as the stage for the first public appearance of the production version of ZOE, its mass-market electric vehicle priced starting from €15,700 (price in France with €5,000 tax incentive deducted) (US$20,600). The cost of leasing the battery starts from €79/month (US$104/month)—the price for a 36-month contract and a distance travelled of 12,500 km/year—inclusive of comprehensive breakdown assistance (which covers flat batteries).
ZOE, which will go on sale this autumn, was joined by Twizy (a two-seat, compact city EV), which becomes available throughout the Renault sales network next week starting at €6,990 (US$9,200) for the lower speed Twizy 45, or €7,690 (US$10,000) for the full-speed Twizy. Battery lease rates start at €50/month (US$66/month) for 36 months and 7,500 km/year.
ZOE. ZOE has been homologated with an NEDC cycle range of 201 km (130 miles). It also features the “Range OptimiZEr” to improve the real-world range, depending on driving conditions. Renault suggests that in suburban use, the owner will generally achieve around 100 km (62 miles) in cold weather and 150 km (93 miles) in temperate conditions.
ZOE can be charged at any level of power—taking between 30 minutes and nine hours—due to the “Caméléon” charger. It is also the first Renault vehicle to be presented with Renault R-Link, a multimedia system featuring a seven-inch touch screen tablet, navigation and connected services.
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Current flow when charging. Click to enlarge. |
ZOE is powered by a 22 kWh Li-ion battery pack, driving a 65 kW synchronous electric motor attached to a reducer gear. Maximum torque in 220 N·m (162 lb-ft). Top speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).
Well-to-wheel CO2 emissions for ZOE depend on the energy-generation mix of each country. Emissions total 62 g/km of CO2 on average in Europe, versus 89 g/km for the new Toyota Prius. They are even lower in France (with its high percentage of nuclear generation) at just 12 g/km of CO2.
ZOE will be the spearhead of the Renault Z.E. range and the version on show at Geneva represents the model’s final design. In addition to its compact size, attractive styling and affordable price tag, it showcases Renault’s technological excellence when it comes to electric vehicles. ZOE also heralds the beginning of a new era of electric mobility for all and confirms our commitment to electric vehicles. It marks an important step for Renault which has a 110-year history of making major innovations a concrete reality for ordinary motorists.
—Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Renault
Range OptimiZEr combines three innovations: new-generation regenerative braking; a heat pump; and Michelin Energy E-V tires.
New-generation regenerative braking recovers practically all of the energy otherwise wasted during braking, without any significant impact on ZOE’s on-road dynamics, according to Renault. The car offers a smooth drive with no jarring electric motor braking. The system works in two ways:
The kinetic energy produced under deceleration and braking is recovered by the motor so that it can be converted into electricity to charge the battery. This feature is also fitted to Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E.
When the driver presses the brake pedal, the system intelligently distributes the braking effort between applying the brake pads and the electric motor brake with a view to maximizing the use of the electric motor brake and charging of the battery.
The heat pump provides thermal comfort without detracting from the vehicle’s range. This system, which operates in the same way as reverse-cycle air-conditioning, consumes very little electricity. It produces warm or cool air by simply reversing the cycle of operation. The heat pump generates approximately 2kW of cooling or 3kW of heat with just 1kW of electricity. The cabin temperature is also more constant since it is not affected by the heat given off by the motor.
The Michelin Energy E-V tire is a Michelin innovation co-developed with Renault as a world premiere for ZOE. The tire features enhanced energy efficiency to maximize vehicle range. Its rubber compound, tread design and sidewalls have been engineered to withstand ZOE’s high torque and address the specific demands of electric vehicles, yet it still delivers the same safety and handling performance as all other Michelin tires. Available in 15- and 16-inch versions, this tire is fitted to all ZOE models as original equipment.
ZOE is the only electric vehicle to feature the Caméléon charger. Patented by Renault, this charger is compatible with all power levels (single- or three-phase supply) up to 43 kW.
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Twizy. Click to enlarge. |
Twizy. Twizy’s dimensions are barely bigger than those of a three-wheel scooter and is the only four-wheeler that can park at right angles to the pavement, according to Renault.
Twizy is available with a choice of motors, one of which enables it to be driven without a driving licence:
Twizy 45 (no driving licence required, depending on national legislation): 4kW (5hp), peak torque of 33 N·m but top speed capped at 45 km/h (28 mph), and
13kW (17hp), maximum torque of 57 N·m and a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph).
Twizy weighs only 450 kg (992 lb), including batteries.Its 6.1 kWh Li-ion battery pack provides an homologated urban cycle range of 100 km (62 miles). In real-world use, customers can expect a range of 80 km (50 miles) by applying eco-driving principles or 55 km (34 miles) in severe conditions with repeated hard acceleration, Renault suggests.
An integrated three-meter battery charging cable compatible with 220V domestic power supplies provides a complete charge in less than 3.5 hours,
This is a great step forward for EV's.
Here in the UK the Zoe starts at £13,650, batteries for 6,000 miles are £70pm and for 12,000 miles £103pm.
All prices include the subsidy, but also 20% VAT, so for a US comparison would work out to around $16k for the car, and $120pm for the battery for 12,000 miles.
They have done a great job on efficiency. The Leaf has a rating on NEDC of 109 miles, so this should get around 83 miles on the EPA cycle compared to the Leaf's 73 miles, about 14% better.
Since it manages it on only 22kwh compared to 24kwh for the Leaf, then the EPA rating of 3miles/kwh for the Leaf should go up to around 3.7miles/kwh, and increase of about 23%.
Here in Europe the cost of battery lease plus electricity is less than for petrol by some distance for 9-12,000 miles/year.
In the US with equivalent pricing, although legally leased batteries may be problematic in some states there I understand, then break even with a car which gets urban mileage of around 30/gallon, and urban driving is what this is for, then break even is at about $4.30/gallon.
Depreciation ex-battery and maintenance would of course be way cheaper for the electric vehicle.
This is the start of a new era in my opinion,
Posted by: Davemart | 09 March 2012 at 11:04 AM
Video of the interior of the £14,650 Zoe Zen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeaibHsKzhA
Very beautiful, IMO.
BTW, AFAIK this is the first time a heat pump has been used in a car.
Posted by: Davemart | 09 March 2012 at 11:07 AM
@Davemart: The EV1 had a heat pump ages ago. But I'm glad to see this in a production EV. I am surprised that it seems to be more efficient at heating the car than cooling the car.
I would expect to see a lot of the features we see in the Zoe in the next generation LEAF.
Does the Zoe support CHAdeMO? Seems like it only supports various levels of AC inputs with the Cameleon charger.
Posted by: Dave R | 09 March 2012 at 11:54 AM
More on the charger:
'It is the first electric vehicle capable of being charged at any power level up to 43kW – in between 30 minutes and nine hours – thanks to its integrated Chameleon charger. ZOE’s battery can be charged in approximately one hour at 22kW fast-charge stations which are technically simpler and more economical than current fast-charge stations. This intermediate power level ensures longer battery life and has less impact on the grid than a 43kW charging station.'
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=337250
And:
'By making the on-board system capable of dealing with such a wide range of inputs, Renault hopes to quarter the cost of installing high-power, fast charging units.
http://www.greenmotor.co.uk/2012/03/renault-zoe-ze-unmasked-keenly-priced.html
the charger automatically detects how much power it has available.
Posted by: Davemart | 09 March 2012 at 12:05 PM
The vehicle's Chameleon charger allows it to be charged via a 3kW/16A home charging box in nine hours, or in an hour by visiting a 22kW/32A three phase charging station, or in just 30 minutes from a 43kW/63A charging station.
http://www.gizmag.com/renault-zoe-electric-car-geneva-premiere/21755/
Posted by: SJC | 09 March 2012 at 12:09 PM
@DaveR:
Specs on chargers are above my pay grade, but from this it does not look as though they are compatible:
http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/4573-Renault-Zoe-ZE/page5
Posted by: Davemart | 09 March 2012 at 12:21 PM
“CHAdeMO” is a trade name of quick charging method that this Association is proposing globally as an industry standard. CHAdeMO is an abbreviation of “CHArge de MOve”, equivalent to “charge for moving”, and is a pun for “O cha demo ikaga desuka” in Japanese, meaning “Let’s have a tea while charging” in English.
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/chademo-quickcharging-association-officially-launches.html
Posted by: SJC | 09 March 2012 at 01:08 PM
The affordable initial cost, low cost battery leasing, quick charging etc could be what many people were waiting for.
There is not doubt that technologies will flow both ways between Renault and Nissan.
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 March 2012 at 01:13 PM
There was a survey that showed most people in the U.S. would consider buying an EV if the price was right. This should give the car makers a clue, if you can get the costs down, be ready to ramp the production volume up.
Posted by: SJC | 09 March 2012 at 01:51 PM
its amazing that they put a 43kW AC charger in the car.. makes a mockery of the Leaf's 3.3kW charger.
Posted by: Herm | 09 March 2012 at 04:59 PM
I drive a company car, and I think the combined price of leasing a € 15000 car plus a very reasonable battery lease of around € 120 per month (I drive ~30000 km/year) will be a lot cheaper than the lease of a € 35000 LEAF. And it beats the LEAF's range by 25 km!
This car is much better than I expected and suddenly makes the LEAF look like a very unattractive choice.
I'll still have to wait another year before I can order it though :(.
Posted by: Arne | 10 March 2012 at 02:45 AM
The € 15000 price may be optimistic, since I don't know the incentive for it in The Netherlands, It might sell for € 20000, still a bargain.
Posted by: Arne | 10 March 2012 at 02:46 AM
The 201 km NEDC range in this article is a typo. It is 210 km according to Renault. That's a full 35 km more than the LEAF!
Posted by: Arne | 10 March 2012 at 03:04 AM
Anne:
The lease price on the battery is likely to be higher than that, for that very high mileage.
Perhaps 180 Euros/mo might be a good guess, but they get more economical at higher mileages than lower.
Here in the UK in pure fuel cost/battery depreciation terms these would not make sense if you did 6,000 miles/year, but higher mileages do.
As for incentives in the Netherlands, you will no better than I, but for the benefit of others:
'There are no direct purchase subsidies for electric vehicles, but other existing incentives include total exemption of the registration fee and road taxes, which result in savings of approximately €5,324 for private car owners over four years[13][23] and €19,000 for corporate owners over five years.[24] Other vehicles including hybrid vehicles are also exempt from these taxes if they emit less than 95 g/km for diesel-powered vehicles, or less than 110 g/km for gasoline-powered vehicles.[13]
Buyers will also have access to parking spaces in Amsterdam reserved for battery electric vehicles, so they will avoid the current wait for a parking place in Amsterdam, which can reach up to 10 years in some parts of the city.[25]'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_incentives_for_plug-in_electric_vehicles
Posted by: Davemart | 10 March 2012 at 03:10 AM
sheez, for corporations the car is essentially free.. Anne might get her wish sooner than she thinks :)
I think its the prettiest mini I have ever seen.. even better than the Pinifarina Bluecar
Posted by: Herm | 10 March 2012 at 01:14 PM
Here is a video of the Tata Megapixel concept car with AWD electric, range extender and induction charging.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/07/tata-megapixel-concept/
Posted by: SJC | 12 March 2012 at 09:20 AM