AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Renault zoe is one of the models to be honoured this year.

• Renault ZOE recognised with Autocar’s ‘Game Changer’ award
• ZOE now provides range of up to 250 miles (NEDC) – the longest of any mainstream electric vehicle
• Autocar Award builds upon several recent awards for ZOE
• ZOE available from £14,245 (after Plug-in Car Grant)
• ZOE Z.E.40 available from £18,170 (after Plug-in Car Grant)

The Renault ZOE has received the ‘Game Changer’ award by Autocar judges at the world’s oldest motoring magazine’s annual awards ceremony at Silverstone this evening. 

The Renault ZOE, fitted with the new 250-mile range (NEDC) Z.E.40 battery, has been recognised at the Autocar Awards 2017 as a true innovator in the ever-growing electric vehicle market. 

The Renault ZOE’s new Z.E. 40 battery delivers almost double the range of the previous battery, providing motorists with an electric vehicle option that is better suited to many lifestyles with the average daily commuting distance being well within the ZOE’s capabilities. Renault, as Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer, believes in giving the customer confidence in their use of electric vehicles by estimating ZOE’s real-world range as 186 miles.

Commenting on the decision to award the ZOE Autocar’s ‘Game Changer’ award, Mark Tisshaw, Editor, Autocar said: “The new Renault ZOE is an important step in bringing affordable electric motoring to the masses. An already good car has been improved further, now coming with a real-world range that extends close to 200 miles to make it a more viable everyday proposition for more people. We commend Renault for that, and recognise the ZOE as a trailblazer for electric cars.” 

Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Renault UK, said of the result: “The Renault ZOE has always excelled at providing motorists with a stylish, comfortable and practical electric car at an affordable price tag. The 2017 ZOE with the Z.E.40 battery, as well as interior and exterior upgrades, builds on this success and now delivers the longest range of any mainstream electric vehicle. We’re delighted that Autocar has recognised the ZOE as a pioneer in the electric vehicle sector.” 

The ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in a choice of three trim levels and with two battery options. Despite its affordability, the entry level Expression Nav comes with a high level of standard specification including items such as climate control and the 7-inch touch screen R-Link infotainment system with sat-nav. Dynamique Nav features include hands free keycard, automatic lights and wipers and rear parking sensors. The all-new top-of-the-range Signature Nav trim provides buyers with features including supple leather upholstery, a seven speaker BOSE® audio system, heated front seats and a rear parking camera. All retail customers receive a free 7kW wall box charger fully-installed at their home when they purchase a ZOE. 

With the new Z.E.40 battery, ZOE’s range is 250 miles (NEDC) – Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions this equates to around 186 miles in summer and 124 miles in extreme cold winter conditions. ZOE can charge from zero to 80 per cent full in as little as 60 minutes thanks to its patented Chameleon Charger™ that allows it to make the most of the widest range of power supplies and also keep charging times to a minimum. Renault’s Range OptimiZer technology ensures ZOE is highly efficient with its heat pump, a bi-modal braking system and Michelin ENERGY E-V tyres all as standard. 

The Autocar award builds on the ZOE’s other achievements in 2017 including ‘Best Electric Car’, and ‘Best Electric Car under £20,000’, for the fourth consecutive year at the What Car? Awards 2017 and ‘Best Ultra Low Emission Vehicle’ at the Fleet World Honours 2017. The ZOE has also been awarded as a Which? ‘Best Buy’ 2016, ‘Best Electric Car’ by CarBuyer and was named ‘Best Supermini’ as well as finishing second overall out of 183 vehicles in the Auto Express Driver Power Awards 2016. 

2016’s Autocar Awards saw Renault’s Senior Vice-President of Corporate Design, Laurens van den Acker, named Designer of the Year. The designer was honoured for his leadership, vision and style following his role in Renault’s design revolution which he joined in 2009. 

ZOE is one of three models in Renault’s diverse electric vehicle range which also includes the Twizy quadricycle and the Kangoo Van Z.E. A larger van, the Master Z.E., will join the growing line-up from late 2017.

Renault ZOE wins the Best Supermini category at the Next Green Car Awards 2016.

• Renault ZOE wins the Best Supermini category at the Next Green Car Awards 2016
• ZOE applauded for its class-leading range and excellent all-round package
• Judging criteria included capability, suitability for purpose and value for money
• All-electric ZOE priced from £13,995 (inc. PiCG)

Only weeks after the launch of a new version with the longest available range for a mainstream electric car, the Renault ZOE has underlined its class-leading usability by being voted the Best Supermini at the Next Green Car Awards.

Europe’s best-selling electric car was awarded the win after eclipsing the other cars shortlisted in the fiercely-contested category. 

Next Green Car’s expert judging panel praised the stylish ZOE for its unrivalled range of 250 miles (NEDC) and excellent all-round package.

The ZOE was selected for the annual awards through Next Green Car’s unique NGC Rating, which rates the environmental impact of all new cars on the market. 

It was then judged on a variety of criteria, including capability, suitability for purpose, impact on its sector and value for money.

Commenting on their decision to award the Renault ZOE, the Next Green Car judges said: "Renault roots out range anxiety with its new ZOE Z.E.40, offering a long range in an already strong supermini package. Nicely designed and easy to use, the zero-emission ZOE now has more than enough range to persuade even the most anxious driver into an EV."

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We’re delighted that Next Green Car has chosen the Renault ZOE as its Best Supermini, its decision reaffirming that the ZOE is not just a superb electric vehicle, but is also a versatile, comfortable and easy-to-own car in its own right, irrespective of how it is powered.”

It’s not the first time that the innovative Renault ZOE has triumphed at the Next Green Car Awards. It is a previous winner of the Supermini category and has also won the leading green car website’s prestigious Gold Award.

ZOE offers a well-equipped specification, five-door practicality and immense ease-of-use. Perfect around town and further afield, the ZOE’s silent drive, instant torque and zero emissions-in-use make for a highly relaxing and environmentally-friendly driving experience. As standard, the stylish hatchback benefits from such features as cruise control, speed limiter, keycard entry with push button Start/Stop function, automatic climate control and the Renault R-Link multimedia system including satellite navigation.

Adding to the ZOE’s user-friendliness is its patented Chameleon™ charger that allows ZOE to always make the best use of whatever charging supply is available in order to speed up charging times. ZOE Dynamique Nav Q90 Z.E.40 Quick Charge can charge at up to 43kW, meaning that 0 to 80 per cent full, of the new enhanced range battery, can be achieved in as little as 65 minutes. For retail customers with a domestic address and off street parking, a 7kW Homecharger will also be fully installed free of charge enabling ZOE to be charged from flat-to-full from just 3-4 hours, depending on specification.

Using the My ZE Inter@ctive timer app customers are able to schedule the time that ZOE is charged and benefit from significantly lower off-peak electricity prices, while the car’s numerous innovations include its unique heat pump. This is able to air condition and heat the ZOE more efficiently than a traditional system, meaning the car’s occupants can stay comfortable without worrying about the range.

Renault estimates that the recently launched Z.E. 40 battery in ZOE, which enables a 250 mile (NEDC) range, has a real-world range of 186 miles in temperate conditions and 124 miles in extreme cold conditions. 

The ZOE is part of Renault’s Z.E. range made up of the Twizy and Kangoo Van Z.E. The ZOE range is priced from £13,995 (including Government PiCG plus monthly battery lease) in a choice of three trim levels, including a new top-of-the-range Signature Nav trim and can be purchased either outright or by leasing the battery. 

The ZOE has been selling strongly in the UK with 1,482 examples sold in the first three-quarters of 2016 – a 33 per cent increase on the same period of 2015 – continuing the trend set in Europe where Renault was the best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer in 2015.  Purchases of ZOE represent one in six electric vehicles sold in the UK. 

The ZOE is proving popular with the British public having been voted ‘Best Supermini’ in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2016 – coming second overall out of 183 models. The ZOE is also a three-time winner of What Car?’s ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ and a Which? ‘Best Buy’ in 2016. It was most recently awarded Best Electric Car in the Carbuyer Best Cars Awards 2017.

Renault ZOE wins the Best Electric Car category at the Carbuyer Best Cars Awards 2017

• Renault ZOE wins the Best Electric Car category at the Carbuyer Best Cars Awards 2017
• ZOE praised for its 250 mile (NEDC) range, driveability and ease of ownership
• Annual awards take into account reliability, value and running costs
• All-electric ZOE priced from £13,995 (inc. PiCG)

The Renault ZOE has notched up another trophy win after being voted the Best Electric Car at the Carbuyer Best Cars Awards 2017.

The zero emissions-in-use ZOE was awarded the accolade after impressing the vastly experienced Carbuyer.co.uk team of motoring experts with its new Z.E. 40 battery enabling a 250 mile range (NEDC) – the longest available for a mainstream electric car – together with its high level of standard equipment, driveability and five-door practicality.

Judged with the needs of car buyers in mind, the annual Carbuyer Best Cars Awards take into account a car’s reliability, price, running costs and how easy it is to live with in addition to how well it performs and handles. 

The award categories reflect the types of vehicles that are proven to be the most in-demand by Carbuyer’s readers and follow the straight-talking, jargon-free approach that has made it one of the most respected car review websites in the country.

In the course of providing motorists with the very best information and determining the winners of its awards, the Carbuyer team tests more than 500 cars a year.

Stuart Milne, Editor, Carbuyer, said of the ZOE: “We've been impressed by the Renault ZOE, and with the increased range from the new 41kWh version, it's become a very easy car to recommend. 

If you choose this new version, you can also use an optional fast charger that takes the battery to 80 per cent capacity in just over an hour, while the worry and cost of battery replacement is taken care of by a leasing deal that costs from just £45 a month. 

The fact that the ZOE is a practical, good to drive and well equipped car comes as a welcome bonus.”

Paul Flanagan, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We’re delighted that the Renault ZOE has once again been recognised for its class-leading package, especially as this award win is heavily influenced by its ease-of-use and how enjoyable and affordable it is to own and maintain. 

It proves that ZOE is an excellent proposition for many car buyers and not just for those whose decision is based on its environmental compatibility.”

ZOE offers a well-equipped specification, five-door practicality and immense ease-of-use. Perfect around town and further afield, the ZOE’s silent drive, instant torque and zero emissions-in-use make for a highly relaxing and environmentally-friendly driving experience. 

As standard, the stylish hatchback benefits from such features as cruise control, speed limiter, keycard entry with push button Start/Stop function, automatic climate control with one touch quick demist function and the Renault R-Link multimedia system including satellite navigation.

Adding to the ZOE’s user-friendliness is its patented Chameleon™ charger that always allows ZOE to make the best use of whatever charging supply is available in order to speed up charging times. 

ZOE Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge can charge at up to 43kW, meaning that 0 to 80 per cent full can be achieved in as little as 30 minutes. ZOE retail customers benefit from a free fully installed 7kW home fast charger that charges ZOE from flat-to-full in just 3-4 hours. 

Using the My ZE Inter@ctive timer app customers are able to schedule the time that ZOE is charged and benefit from significantly lower off-peak electricity prices, while the car’s numerous innovations include its unique heat pump. 

This is able to air condition and heat the ZOE more efficiently than a traditional system, meaning the car’s occupants can stay comfortable without worrying about the range.

Available alongside the 43kW option, Renault estimates that the recently launched Z.E. 40 battery in ZOE, which enables a 250 mile (NEDC) range, has a real-world range of 186 miles in temperate conditions and 124 miles in extreme cold conditions. 

The ZOE is part of Renault’s Z.E. range made up of the Twizy and Kangoo Van Z.E. The ZOE range is priced from £13,995 (including Government PiCG plus monthly battery lease) in a choice of three trim levels, including a new top-of-the-range Signature Nav trim and can be purchased either outright or by leasing the battery. 

The ZOE has been selling strongly in the UK with 1,482 examples sold in the first three-quarters of 2016 – a 33 per cent increase on the same period of 2015 – continuing the trend set in Europe where Renault was the best-selling electric vehicle manufacturer in 2015.  Purchases of ZOE represent one in six electric vehicles sold in the UK. 

The ZOE is proving popular with the British public having been voted ‘Best Supermini’ in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2016 – coming second overall out of 183 models. 

The ZOE is also a three-time winner of What Car?’s ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ and a Which? ‘Best Buy’ in 2016.

The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class in the 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo.

• Four Renault crews started the demanding e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for clean cars
• The ZOE finished first and second in the all-electric vehicle class
• French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu defended Renault’s colours with a spirited performance for her maiden participation

The drama-packed 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo saw Renault ZOEs combine second and third places overall with victory in the all-electric vehicle class. 

This year’s event took the challenge a step further with a 1,300-kilometre route that incorporated six timed regularity zones (RZ), with some of the action taking place after nightfall. 

The French model, actress and TV presenter Adriana Karembeu came 17th out of 34 starters in the N°2 ZOE. It was a memorable human and technological adventure for every one of the four crews entered by Renault.

The ZOE: number one in motorsport and for everyday use

Following back-to-back victories on the Rallye Monte-Carlo ZENN (Zero Emissions, No Noise) organised by the ACM (Automobile Club de Monaco) in 2014 and 2015, Renault decided to defend its record on this unique event this time around. 

For 2016, the competition was renamed the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo and featured classes for all types of energy (all-electric, hybrid, fuel cell, etc.), with the exception of 100-percent fossil fuels. 

At the recent Paris Motor Show, Renault – an electric vehicle pioneer and the number one EV seller in Europe for the past four years – revealed that it has doubled the driving range of the ZOE. 

The top-selling model, a favourite with families and businesses alike, now boasts an NEDC range of 400 kilometres, equivalent to a real-world range of approximately 300 kilometres and a performance that allows users to put charging-related concerns to the back of their mind. 

Orders are already open for ZOEs equipped with the new Z.E.40 battery and deliveries are due to begin before the end of the year. Taking part in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo was consequently an entirely logical decision.

The 2016 e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) started in Fontainebleau, near Paris, France, and ended in Monaco. The entry list featured 34 crews who represented most of the manufacturers active in the market. 

Groupe Renault entered four ZOEs: two for specialists Greg Jonkerlynck / Yves Munier and Aurore Ferry / Pascal Ferry, plus one for Norwegian journalist Gro Flaaten and a fourth for French bloggers Alexandre Stricher (Autocult) / Michael Torregrossa (Automobile-Propre). Meanwhile, Adriana Karembeu was part of the all-lady crew in the N°2 ZOE. 

With previous participations on the Rallye des Princesses and the Rallye des Gazelles to her name, the French model, actress and TV presenter is no stranger to motorsport. 

She also shares the values championed by Renault and, throughout the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo, was her usual vibrant and charming self, always happy to take time to chat with her many fans.

At the end of the four-day competition, which packed its fair share of surprises and drama (including a power cut across the whole of one town, punctures, torrential rain and night-time action until four o’clock in the morning), the ZOE not only topped the final order in the all-electric vehicle class but also claimed second and third places overall. 

Third spot went to the Renault squad’s two bloggers in a car equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery, while runner-up honours were bagged by privateers Christophe PONSET / Serge PASTOR whose ZOE was powered by a battery with a range of 240km, proof of the ZOE’s capabilities irrespective of generation.

Alexandre Stricher (www.autocult.fr), 3^rd overall:

“The level of the entry was much higher this year. The status of the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is growing fast and the organisers served us with a genuinely challenging event. 

Our ZOE was equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery and we were able to cross France without having to worry about running out of power. 

We prepared carefully and, with road sections of up to 240 kilometres in length, we obviously had our eyes on the satnav, but never on the battery gauge. 

Renault has sparked a revolution in the world of affordable electric cars and we completed the rally ahead of models like the BMW i3, the Kia Soul, the Volkswagen E-Golf and even the Tesla S! We could have exceeded distances of 340km during the rally and I am certain we could even exceed 400km in real-world use. That’s my personal challenge!”

Renault would like to thank the crews for their commitment, sportsmanship and good humour.

Find leg-by-leg reports on the Renault blog: https://group.renault.com/actualites/blog-renault

FINAL OVERALL POSITIONS

1, Artur PRUSAK (POL) / Thierry BENCHETRIT (FRA), Toyota Mirai

2, Christophe PONSET (FRA) / Serge PASTOR (FRA), Renault ZOE

3, Alexandre STRICHER (FRA) / Michael TORREGROSSA (FRA), Renault ZOE

ITINERARY

Day 1 (October 12)

Fontainebleau to Nevers (198km / 2h40m) via A19, A77 and N7

Battery charge (1 hour) at Renault Simmoneau Automobiles, Nevers

Nevers to Moulins (65km / 45 mins) via N7

Battery charge (30 minutes) at Leclerc Avermes supermarket

Day 2 (October 13)

Moulins to Saint Etienne (179km / 2h30m) via N7

Battery charge (2½ hours) at Renault Liogier La Talaudière

Saint Etienne to Circuit d’Alès (221km / 4h30m), via les Monts de l’Ardèche and Col de la Fayolle on D122 (altitude: 877 metres)

Battery charge (2½ hours) at a public car park

Day 3 – October 14)

Regularity test (Circuit d’Alès)

Alès to Nimes (52km / 50 mins)

Battery charge (1 hour) at LIDL supermarket, Nimes

Nimes Town Hall to Fontvielle (35km / 40 mins)

RZ1: Fontvielle-Eyguières (34km / 40 mins)

Eyguières to Manosque (82km / 1h20m), via D23, D973 and D996

Battery charge (2 hours) at Renault Manosque

RZ2: Manosque-Montmeyan (46km / 1 hour)

RZ3: Régusse-Draguignan (42km / 1 hour)

Draguignan to Monaco (112km / 2 hours) via A8

Battery charge (2 hours) at the Novotel, Monaco

Day 4 – October 15

Monaco to Castillon (23km / 50 mins)

RZ4, RZ5 and RZ6: Castillon-Sospel (62km / 2 hours)

Sospel to Monaco (30km / 45 mins)

Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time with four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery.

• Renault to take part in e-Rallye Monte-Carlo for third time
• Four ZOEs with new Z.E. 40 battery will take part in the event
• ZOE has won the event twice before, in 2014 and 2015
• This year’s event runs from October 12^th to 16^th, starting in Fontainebleau

Renault is taken part for the third time in the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo (October 12-16) for zero CO₂emissions vehicles for the third time. 

The entry consists of four ZOEs, all equipped with the new Z.E. 40 battery that is now available for the model. The event runs from Fontainebleau, near Paris, to Monaco. 

After winning in both years it has participated, in 2014 and 2015, the ZOE will this year benefit from twice the driving range to take its crews even further still. 

Renault is also pleased to announce that the actress and model Adriana Karembeu is part of its driver line-up for this year’s rally.

The pioneering spirit of the FIA-sanctioned e-Rallye Monte-Carlo is founded on a unique combination of human endeavour and advanced technologies. 

Open to zero-emissions, CO₂-free vehicles, the 36-strong field will start this year’s competition in Fontainebleau (70km south of Paris) and travel across France to the event’s climax in the Principality of Monaco.

Now equipped with a new battery that has doubled the model’s NEDC-cycle driving range to 250 miles, the Renault ZOE - which is targeting its third e-Rallye Monte-Carlo success from three starts – stands out as the ideal companion for weekends away, holidays and discovering new horizons, even in the world of motorsport. 

This year’s rally is sure to put competing vehicles to a challenging test thanks to a program that incorporates 220 miles of competitive action, including a visit to the famous Col de Turini.

The ZOE is the European market’s number one electric vehicle with more than 50,000 registrations since its launch, and the crews of the four cars entered for the e-Rallye Monte-Carlo will be looking to steer it to the top of the finish podium in Monaco on Sunday, October 16. One of the four drivers defending its chances will be Adriana Karembeu. The model, actress and TV presenter – who has a keen interest in motorsport (Rallye des Gazelles, Rallye des Princesses) and who is also an active fund-raiser for charities like the French Red Cross and Reporters Sans Frontières – will contribute her charisma and driving skills to Renault’s bid for outright victory.

PARIS - Renault relaunches the ZOE with an extended single charge range of 250 miles.

• Renault has introduced a new battery for ZOE that provides up to 250 miles of driving on a single charge (NEDC)
• ZOE has the longest range of any mainstream electric vehicle on sale today
• The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault’s Flins plant in France
• ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades
• New Z.E. 40 battery will go on sale in the UK in November
• Renault ZOE is Europe’s best selling electric vehicle

A Renault ZOE with the longest range of any mainstream electric vehicle – 250 miles (400km) – was unveiled today by Carlos Ghosn, Groupe Renault Chairman and CEO during the Mondial De L’Automobile Paris 2016. It will go on sale in the UK in November.

“This month Renault surpassed 100,000 electric vehicles sold and now ZOE will travel up to 250 miles (400km) without recharging. We are continuing to push in areas where innovation matters most for Renault customers. 

Making it easy for them to choose electric, with new connected services to enhance their driving experience, is a top priority for us and for ZOE customers.”

Carlos Ghosn – Groupe Renault Chairman and CEO

“Renault has added a new dimension to the world of electric vehicles now that the ZOE’s range stands at 250 miles (400km) NEDC. It’s a breakthrough in all-electric motoring that will provide the range needed to make any motorist comfortable choosing electric.”

Eric Feunteun – Vice President, Electric Vehicle Programme

DOUBLE THE RANGE FOR EVEN LONGER JOURNEYS

As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe’s number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Z.E. strategy (Zero Emissions ⁽¹⁾).

Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 250 miles (400km), which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.

In real-world driving, Renault estimates the new Z.E. 40 battery has a range of 186 miles (300km) in urban or suburban areas.

The range offered today by the new ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now. The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion- engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE’s capabilities.

The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car, so-call ‘range anxiety’, since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging.                                            

(1) Zero emissions during road use: no CO₂ emissions or emissions of other regulated airborne pollutants during road use in compliance with the NEDC cycle (not including wear parts).

The ZOE’s driving range in miles (and kilometres) with a complete charge⁽²⁾ :

	NEDC cycle certification (1)	Real-world traffic conditions – Urban and suburban use, temperate climate
The New Z.E. 40 battery (41kWh)	250 miles (400km)	186 miles (300km)
The existing 22kWh battery Will remain on sale alongside the new battery	149 miles (240km)	106 miles (170km)

The time required to charge the Z.E. 40 battery is similar to that necessary for the standard battery, so ‘topping up’ doesn’t take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes is required on average to charge the battery for an extra 50 miles (80km) of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe⁽³⁾. The ZOE continues to be available with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.

AN INNOVATION THAT DOUBLES BATTERY CAPACITY WITH NO INCREASE IN SIZE

The ZOE’s new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE’s standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).

Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.

Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.

This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery’s reliability and safety.

The battery’s large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE’s energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE’s battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.

To complement the new battery, the ZOE motor has undergone a naming restructure, moving from being related to range (in kilometres) to power output (in horsepower) to match internal combustions engine vehicles, as follows:

ZOE motor (2012-2016)	ZOE motor (2016- )	Max. charge speed	Power
R240	R90	22kWh (Rapid)	90hp
Q210	Q90	43kWh (Quick)	90hp

THE ZOE: DESIGNED AND MADE ENTIRELY BY RENAULT

Just as it conceives and manufactures the majority of its powertrains, Renault designed and makes the ZOE, thanks not only to the expertise it has acquired as a pioneer in the world of electric-vehicles mobility and as Europe’s number one electric-vehicle brand, but also to its technical and sporting partnership roles in the FIA Formula E Championship. Groupe Renault’s know-how is chiefly rooted in France where its high added-value vehicles and components are primarily designed and produced.

Like the 22kWh battery, the new Z.E. 40 battery is assembled at Renault’s Flins plant, near Paris. The same factory is responsible for the production of the Renault ZOE, alongside the Renault Clio. The ZOE was designed and engineered at the Renault Technocentre in Guyancourt, also near Paris.

The R90 motor is made at Renault’s Cléon factory in Normandy, a flagship facility in the field of engine and transmission production for the group. Launched in the spring of 2015, and originally known as the R240, this motor was entirely developed by Renault and led to the filing of 95 patents.

The housing that permits the battery’s integration in the ZOE, as well as the model’s front and rear suspension systems, were all conceived by Groupe Renault’s Chassis and Electric Vehicle Engineering Division and are manufactured at Renault’s Le Mans plant.

Z.E. TRIP AND Z.E. PASS: TWO NEW SERVICES TO SIMPLIFY CHARGING AT PUBLIC CHARGING STATIONS ACROSS EUROPE

About 80,000 public charging stations are in operation across Europe. To provide ZOE owners with easy access to them, Renault has released two free services: Z.E. Trip helps customers to locate charging points, while Z.E. Pass gives access to a high number of charging stations.

Z.E. Trip: Using the R-LINK navigation system to locate all charging points

Z.E. Trip makes long-distance driving a breeze in the ZOE by allowing drivers to locate all public charging points in some of the main European countries⁽⁴⁾. Z.E. Trip can be accessed directly via the Renault R-LINK navigation system using the steering wheel-mounted controls or via the internet to prepare trips in advance. The service indicates the real-time availability of each charging point, as well as its type and whether it is compatible with the car. The driver can select a charging point based on its charging capacity so the speeds suit their requirements.

Z.E. Trip began its rollout to ZOE customers in certain European markets in September and is anticipated to be rolled out in the UK in the coming months.

Z.E. Pass: a single access and payment solution for most public charging points

The Z.E. Pass app makes charging the ZOE easier at most public charging points in Europe even though they are owned by various operators. The driver can pay using the smartphone app or with an RFID badge. They can also locate available charging stations and compare prices at different stations nearby using their smartphone or tablet without having to be a registered member of each network.

Developed in association with Bosch, the service was released in Germany in September 2016 and will be rolled out over the next few months in France, UK, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. 

Z.E. SMARTPHONE APP ENHANCES TO INCLUDE DOOR-TO-DOOR NAVIGATION

New features will be added to the Z.E. app that is freely available to all Renault Z.E. customers, in the first half of 2017 to make journeys in the ZOE even easier, including door-to-door navigation.

Thanks to this feature, the user can enter his or her complete trip using their smartphone app and then forward it to the ZOE’s navigation system (Renault R-LINK). Once in the car, the driver can access their pre- programmed itinerary automatically.

After parking, the app takes over from the ZOE’s navigation system to indicate the final part of the journey on foot. The driver can also use the app to help find where they parked their ZOE or to look up their trip history and any other information in their trip computer.

Remote battery charging management

The Z.E. smartphone app keeps ZOE drivers connected to their car, even when they are not driving, in order to optimise battery charging.

ZOE owners can remotely:

• Check information, such as the car’s charge level, the estimated remaining range, the time remaining until the vehicle is fully charged, etc. It also receives messages when charging begins and is completed.
• Operate some of their car’s functions, including the cabin’s pre-conditioning system (cabin temperature) and activating the battery charging process, as well as taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates and different CO₂ footprints depending on type of electricity generation (i.e. renewable energy sources may be more widely used by energy companies during off-peak periods)