What's the news?
Renault has announced longer range capability for its fully electric Zoe. A new battery means that up to 400km is claimed to be possible between charges, with 300km achievable in real-world driving. The Z.E. 40 battery can take enough charge in 30 minutes to enable 80km of range and has almost double the storage capacity of the current unit. Developed in conjunction with LG-Chem, the new battery carries a small extra weight penalty, but is physically no bigger, so the packaging is unaffected.
The output of the R90 motor is equivalent to 90hp, so the extended range now means that the Zoe is a more viable proposition for potential customers. The option is available to order on the car from November onwards in the UK, but there is no word on pricing or availability for Ireland just yet.
Eric Feunteun, VP of Renault's Electric Vehicle Programme, said: "Renault has added a new dimension to the world of electric vehicles now that the Zoe's range stands at 400km NEDC. It's a breakthrough in all-electric motoring that will provide the range needed to make any motorist comfortable choosing electric."
Anything else?
Access to charging points is obviously a major issue for EV owners, so Renault is also updating its multimedia features to help alleviate this. Z.E. Trip works in conjunction with the R-LINK navigation system to find charging points and their suitability and availability, while Z.E. Pass enables the driver to purchase electricity using a smartphone app or RFID badge. These will be rolled out in some of the main European countries in the coming months, and the Z.E smartphone app will also be revised in the first half of 2017 to include better navigation functionality and battery charging capabilities.