Renault unveiled its latest prototype electric vehicle at its Annual General Meeting in Paris. The Kangoo be bop Z.E. is, funnily enough, an electric version of the Kangoo be bop mini-MPV. Renault is using the be bop Z.E. to demonstrate its electric vehicle expertise and will launch an affordable electric vehicle in 2011.
At the
Paris Motor Show last year Renault showed the Z.E. (for Zero Emissions) concept car. Based on the Kangoo be bop it looked pretty outlandish with yellow-green tinted windows. The Z.E. demonstrator looks a little more like a normal be bop.
Special features that mark out the electric vehicle include 'Energy Blue' paint, a 20mm lower ride height and 18-inch full-disc wheels. Another exterior feature unique to the Z.E. is the linear display of battery charge fitted to the doors and activated by the central locking control. Inside there is grey velour with embroidered circuit board designs, satin finish chrome and 'metallic acid' green trim.
Under the skin there is a 59bhp electric motor that drives through a single-speed gearbox. Power comes from lithium-ion batteries that feed the motor through a special control unit. The batteries themselves come from a Nissan-NEC joint venture and are expected to retain between 80 and 100 percent of their original storage capacity for six years.
The lithium-ion batteries are so compact that the battery pack fits inside the dashboard leaving the be bop's four-seat interior and luggage capacity unaffected. Performance and range are curtailed compared to the internal-combustion-engined models with a claimed range of 62 miles and a top speed limited to 80mph.
Renault has stated that it will put an affordable, mass-market electric vehicle on sale in 2011. Plans include a utility version of the Kangoo and two 'highly innovative' vehicles scheduled for 2012.
John Lambert - 8 May 2009