Renault has announced that it too has teamed up with energy supplier British Gas to provide vehicle recharging points along with its Alliance counterpart Nissan.
The deal means that British Gas now has the potential to be the largest supplier of car charging points in Britain’s homes, with market analysis suggesting that the firm will be the preferred supplier for up to 70 per cent of the electric vehicle market in the UK by 2012/13.
It is the second such partnership the energy firm has announced since teaming up with Nissan back in March.
The agreement with Renault, announced at the technical forum for the RAC Future Car Challenge at Imperial College London, means that British Gas will supply and install electric car charge points in homes and businesses across the country. Renault is set to launch the electric Kangoo Van Z.E. later this year followed by a range of fully-electric cars - the new Fluence Z.E. and ZOE car models and an urban two-seater, the Twizy by 2012.
Customers will pay from £995 including VAT for the domestic installation of a charging point by one of British Gas’ nationwide network of qualified installers. Charging points are more convenient and safer than plugging the vehicles directly into the home electricity system and will cut the charging time by a third. Research shows that 59 per cent of charging in 2020 will be at home, compared to 32 per cent at work and only 9 per cent will use public charging.
This will make it cheaper to charge vehicles overnight and could save customers as much as £1,200 a year compared to owners of petrol cars. British Gas is trialling the tariff with customers this summer and the new tariff will be fully available from the beginning of 2012. All customers on the tariff will have a smart meter installed which will give them access to flexible “time of use” tariffs, put an end to estimated bills and give them access to smart appliances.
Thierry Sybord, Managing Director of Renault UK, said: “The electric revolution is on its way and Renault is leading the pack with its full range of electric vehicles. Partnering with British Gas, Britain’s biggest supplier of electricity to homes, means Renault Z.E. range customers can access competitive, quality charging technology and rely upon a prompt and professional service. We selected British Gas for the strength of their service network, the quality and competitiveness of the wallbox offering and the strength of their marketing.”
