Renault has revealed final designs for its first electric vehicles, the lower-medium segment Fluence Z.E. and the Kangoo Van Z.E., both on sale next year.
Customers are able to pre-reserve the vehicles which Renault said will “enable prospective buyers to choose their vehicle and benefit from priority availability as soon as it comes to market”.
Fluence Z.E. “targets motorists and fleet operators who are looking for a status-enhancing vehicle that is both economical to run and respectful of the environment” said the carmaker.
Kangoo Van Z.E. will be on sale in the first half of 2011 and has the same capacity and payload as the traditional Kangoo.
Renault said “it delivers a silent ride and responsive performance, the immediate availability of torque as soon as it starts, no gear change and low running costs”.
While pricing is yet to be announced, Renault has said it wants to make electric vehicle technology available to as many road users as possible and “will introduce a range of innovative ownership formulae”.
For the first time, the vehicle and the battery will belong to different owners. Customers will either buy or hire their vehicle and take out a subscription that covers the hire of the battery and the availability of new mobility services to suit drivers’ lifestyle.
However, the carmaker said its aim is to market electric vehicles at prices comparable with those of a diesel-powered car of an equivalent size and equipment level. The total cost of ownership of electric vehicles will be similar to that of internal combustion-engined vehicles from launch.
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