Renault delivers first ZOE EV
17 December 2012
Renault has presented the keys of the first ZOE electric vehicle to Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Industrial Recovery. The first delivery of ZOE comes ahead of further deliveries set for between now and the end of 2012 and mass launch in the Renault network in first-quarter 2013.
ZOE, the spearhead of Renault’s Z.E. range, is the Group’s first full-electric car. The vehicle qualifies for a €7,000 (US$9,217) government environmental bonus, bringing the starting price in France down to €13,700 (US$18,038) including VAT.
The first ZOE delivery is a vital step in Renault’s electric vehicle offensive, aimed at making zero-emission mobility affordable for the greatest number. The commitment of the government and Mr Montebourg, as confirmed today, is a decisive advantage for making France a robust cornerstone of electric vehicle development and serves to reinforce Renault’s position as a French champion on the international stage.
—Carlos Tavares, Chief Operating Officer of the Renault group
The launch will be accompanied by the widespread development of public and private charging stations with the support of the taskforce headed by Philippe Hirtzman and tasked with stimulating and backing infrastructure projects in large urban agglomerations.
As of the end of October 2012, Renault has put 16,600 electric vehicles on the road in Europe. As of the end of September 2012, Renault led the European electric PC + LCV market (excluding Twizy) with a 28.2% share.
Renault led the French EV market with sales of 4,566 units (including 1,999 Twizys) at end-October 2012.
Some 10,000 charging stations had been installed in Europe at end-2011. This figure has now risen to roughly 15,000 (up 50% on end-2011).
France's e-power is about 85% nuclear and considered by many to be cleaner than other countries.
Replacing ICEVs with BEVs would tghere be a good move to reduce air pollution.
Posted by: HarveyD | 17 December 2012 at 08:00 AM
sheez the first one of this interesting vehicle goes to a bureaucrat.. then again its France. Now deliver many thousands more!
Posted by: Herm | 17 December 2012 at 08:14 AM
A very large BEV fleet charged mostly at night would increase the bottom of the French load curve, allowing nuclear plants to operate with less turndown at night and making new nuclear builds more attactive. Varying the output less means less daily addition and removal of boron, so less low-level waste in the form of filters and ion-exchange resins. Everybody wins.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 17 December 2012 at 11:16 AM
Right on E-P.
We have lot of idle Hydro power, at night and during other off peak hours. Many mega-watt go unused, with forced water over flow every day. The excess (off peaks) e-power is enough to charge at least 2 electrified vehicles per household without new added power plants.
Peak loads are about 38,500 mega-watt when temperature drops below -25C (out of a total 46,500 mega-watt). Average load is only about 23,000 mega-watt and even much lower during spring and fall night hours when no electric heating nor air conditioning are required.
Too bad that batteries are not yet available for extended range cold weather BEVs.
Posted by: HarveyD | 17 December 2012 at 12:14 PM
In addition to the purchase price, you also pay $90 a month for the lease of the battery. So essentially this car cost over $25,000 without a battery. Frightfully expensive for such a size car.
Posted by: Joe | 17 December 2012 at 02:28 PM
If it means you avoid paying VAT on the battery, so much the better.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 17 December 2012 at 03:10 PM
If more and more frequent storms like Sandy prove to be linked to global warming ICE emissions, EVs at ICE prices may become more popular.
Otherwise, we just wait for oil prices to double again.
Posted by: kelly | 18 December 2012 at 06:06 AM