The Renault-Nissan Alliance is in the middle of a $5.4 billion investment in electric vehicles to be distributed throughout North America and Europe. This investment has already helped Nissan create a number of partnerships with American and European cities for smart charging infrastructure. Renault announced that its first contributions to the electric vehicle market are available for pre-order at the website linked here. The Fluence Z.E. and the Kangoo Express Z.E. are intended for high-end consumers and business fleets respectively.
The Fluence Z.E. is a compact EV that will be available in Europe and Israel in the first quarter of 2011. This zero-emissions vehicle features a 70kW electric motor and a 22kWh lithium-ion battery that facilitate a per-charge range of 99 miles. The Fluence Z.E. can achieve a top speed of 84 miles per hour, which is more than sufficient for city driving. Renault adjusted the anti-lock brake system and added low-resistance tires to increase range compared to the traditional Fluence. Renault has also designed the Fluence Z.E. to be recharged using a household outlet, a fast-charge unit or a QuickDrop battery exchange station made by Better Place.
Renault’s Kangoo Express Z.E. van will be available to commercial customers starting in the second quarter of 2011. This all-electric vehicle contains a 44kW electric motor and a 22kWh lithium-ion battery pack allowing a maximum range of 99 miles. The Kangoo Express Z.E. is rechargeable to full capacity within eight hours, making it ideal for corporate fleet vehicles left overnight in depots and garages. Renault has maintained the same cargo capacity as the traditional Kangoo Express to please existing customers.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance is mustering help throughout the world to make the Fluence and Kangoo Express Z.E.s commercially viable. The Fluence Z.E. is going to roll off the production line at Renault’s factory in Bursa, Turkey by the beginning of 2011. Renault says that the Kangoo Express Z.E. will be produced at a manufacturing plant in northern France. Both automakers say that they are investing heavily in five new plants from Smyrna, Tennessee to Zama, Japan to handle battery production. In order to support the alliance’s EV rollout goals, these plants will be asked to produce a total of 475,000 units per year. In the meantime, the pre-ordering for the Fluence Z.E. and the Kangoo Express Z.E. should provide a glimpse into the alliance’s early efforts in EV mobilization.
