Renault has confirmed that its forthcoming ZOE all-electric supermini will participate in this year’s RAC Future Car Challenge.
Andy Heiron, Head of Electric Vehicle Programme, Renault UK, said: "Our main aim is to demonstrate through a combination of the coverage the vehicles and the event get and the independently validated results that electric vehicles are a practical, viable alternative to the internal combustion engine for a significant proportion of car buyers. We would hope to generate coverage and interest in the ZOE and use the results to validate what sort of range figures can be achieved in ‘real world’ conditions when an EV is well driven."
With an official range of 130 miles on a single charge the ZOE should have no trouble completing the 63 mile route from Madeira Drive, Brighton to Imperial College and Regent Street in London.
It isn’t the only new Renault model that will be making an appearance with the new Clio 4 also coming along for the journey. Powered by Renault’s new super-small 0.9-litre three cylinder petrol engine, the new Clio emits just 99g/km of CO2 and returns 65.9mpg on the combined cycle. A Fluence Z.E and Kangoo Van Z.E. make up the challengers from the brand.
Andy Heiron continued: "With a range of four 100 per cent electric vehicles, Renault have made a clear commitment to making electric vehicles a mass market reality and with a total investment by the Renault-Nissan Alliance of €4bn have positioned themselves as the leaders in this sector. We believe that a product portfolio of attractive, affordable ZE products will become an increasingly significant proportion of our sales mix and as such make a major contribution to achieving EC emission targets."
This year’s event takes place on Saturday 3rd November.
Richard has been writing about cars since 2008. His favourite motoring topics include the latest fuel-saving technology but also high performance cars – he's conflicted like that. When he doesn't have his writing (or marketing) hat on, he can be found traipsing around the British countryside. Or drinking a skinny latté.
Richard Lawton
October 03, 2012
Filed under: Renault
No comments yet.