The Renault Zoe is a battery-powered supermini unveiled in Europe three years ago.
Specs
RENAULT ZOE
Motor: Synchronous electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed
Power: 65kW
Torque: 220Nm
Batteries: 400-volt 22kWh lithium-ion
0-100kmh: 13.5 seconds
Top speed: 135kmh (electronically limited)
Consumption: 14.6kWh/100km
Range: 225km
Agent: Wearnes Automotive
Renault agent Wearnes Automotive has just brought in a unit to bid
for an electric car-sharing scheme that the Government hopes to launch
next year.
If that happens, the Zoe will be the first "affordable" electric
model here. The only other electric car on sale here is the BMW i3,
which sells for $236,800.
But unlike the BMW i3, the Zoe does not have a range extender (a
small petrol engine that acts as a generator to juice up depleted
batteries).
Renault Zoé is a supermini with piles revealed in Europe three years ago.
Renault agent Wearnes Automotive just brought a unit to offer for an electric plan of car-pooling this hopes of government of launching the next year.
If that occurs, the Zoe will be here the first electric model “accessible”. Only the other electric car on sale here is BMW i3, which is sold for $236,800.
But unlike BMW i3, the Zoe does not have a supplement of range (a small petrol engine which acts as a generator with the exhausted juice batteries).
Wearnes says the price tag is achievable because the car will enjoy a $30,000 carbon rebate from July.
The electric car-sharing scheme is an ambitious project. The
Government is planning for up to 1,000 electric cars zipping around
from as early as next year. The exercise, which will last up to 10
years, also involves setting aside parking spaces for the cars and
installing more charging stations.
It is still too early to say which car will make the cut, but the
shortlist is unlikely to be a long one. Zoe's keenest competitor is
likely to be the Nissan Leaf, another supermini.
The Glacier White Zoe that Wearnes has brought in cuts an attractive
figure. At just a little over 4m long (4,084mm) and barely 2m wide
(1,945mm), the hatchback which comes with 17-inch rims has a cute face,
but not to the point of looking silly.
The rear door handles are flush with the C-pillars, giving the Zoe
the appearance of a three-door hatch when viewed from a distance.
The boot, at 338 litres, is on a par with the Mercedes-Benz A-class'
341 litres. And unlike the BMW i3 which can carry only two passengers
at the rear, the Zoe has seatbelts for three in the second row. Both
boot space and passenger count make the Zoe ideal for a small family.
The dashboard is minimalist but modern, with a colourful 7-inch
touchscreen monitor offering functions such as navigation and Bluetooth
connectivity.
Under the bonnet, the Zoe is powered by an electric motor with an
output of 65kW or 88bhp. While that is not exactly sizzling, consider
this: Its 220Nm of torque is instantly accessible.
On paper, the Zoe has a range of 225km on a full charge. Charging
duration, using a cable plugged to the nose of the car, is between one
and nine hours, depending on the type of charger.
Housing Board and condo dwellers eyeing the Zoe will have one more
hurdle to cross - finding a spot to install a charger which costs about
$3,000.
The Zoe is not yet available for test drives because of red tape.
But if it is anywhere as pleasing on the go as it is on the eye, it
will be a winner.
