Renault confirms pure-electric ZOE and Kangoo ZE for Australia
Europe's best-selling zero-emission supermini and small van to be offered to Aussie business and government customersRenault Australia has confirmed it will import both the pure-electric ZOE supermini and Kangoo ZE van to Australian businesses and governmental organisations.
The updated long-range ZOE, which was introduced back in late 2016 in Europe, will be available here in two grades priced either side of $45,000, and the French car-maker has also confirmed it will offer local fleet -- and potentially private -- buyers a pure-electric version of the Kangoo Maxi for around the same price
Billed as the most affordable, user-friendly electric vehicle available, the ZOE is claimed to end the 'range anxiety' associated with battery-powered cars as it comes with an NEDC range of 400km and a 'real-world' achievable range of around 300km.
Meantime, the pure-electric Kangoo Maxi ZE, which can carry a payload of 650kg, has an NEDC range of 270km and a realistic range of around 200km.
Both are set to land in the "next couple of months", says Renault, and will also be available to private buyers if there's demand.
Until now, the French car-maker has been hesitant to take the plunge with either the battery-powered ZOE or Kangoo because of concerns over demand but now, according to a Renault spokesperson, the French firm thinks Australia is "EV ready".
In Europe both pure-electric vehicles are best-sellers in their pure-electric segments, racking up combined sales of more than 120,000 vehicles.
Renault Australia hopes they will appeal to companies who want to reduce their carbon footprint, lower their operating costs and want to be seen as adopting new zero-emission tech.
Initially set to be sold through Renault's Corporate Sales Division, the EVs will be sold and serviced by a single dealer in Sydney and another in Melbourne.
The French car-maker claims it is already in talks to offer the ZOE and Kangoo ZE in other major cities through other sales channels.
Refusing to discuss how many vehicles it hopes to sell, Renault will also offer corporate buyers a 7kW fast-charger that can fully charge either the van or supermini from empty in just over seven hours.
The same charger can add 35km of range after an hour's charge, says Renault.
Prices will begin at $45,990 for the Kangoo Maxi ZE and $42,470 for the entry-level ZOE Life, but the two pure-electric models will miss out on Renault's comprehensive five-year, unlimited-km warranty.
Instead, both cars will come with a three-year warranty for the car and van, and a five-year warranty for the lithium-ion batteries.
Renault's decision to offer pure-electric vehicles Down Under follows a trial by Australia Post, which has have been using Kangoo ZEs for postie duties in Sydney and Melbourne.
If you're wondering whether Renault has any plans to also import the tiny Twizy, prepare to be disappointed.
After a short evaluation that involved importing a model to the firm's Victorian HQ, Renault Australia claims that the small commuter vehicle is not currently capable of being registered for road use here.
Pricing:
Renault Kangoo Maxi ZE -- $45,990
Renault Zoe Life -- $42,470
Renault Zoe Intens -- $45,870
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