The first of four electric models from Renault enters series production this week in the presence of Éric Besson, French Minister for Industry, Energy and the Digital Economy, and Carlos Ghosn CEO of Renault-Nissan Group, at the firm’s Maubeuge production facility.
The Kangoo Z.E, a electric version of the firm’s Kangoo light van, is set to go on sale in the UK from November and will be priced from £16,990 with monthly battery hire from £60 (6,000 miles and 3 years).
To keep pace with the production ramp-up, Carlos Ghosn confirms that nearly 100 people will be hired at Maubeuge in 2011 to help build the Kangoo Z.E.
The very first Kangoo Z.E. came off the production line on 22 September 2010. Since then, 68 vehicles were produced in 2010, and 281 in 2011 (to end July). These pre-production models were intended for pilot operations involving the roll-out of electric vehicles both in France, such as the SAVE project (Seine Aval Vehicle Électrique), and abroad.
The Kangoo Z.E will be joined by the Fluence Z.E, ZOE Z.E and Twizy Z.E before the end of 2012, to make a complete range of four electric vehicles, all produced as part of the French car maker’s alliance with Nissan.
