Recharge Wrap-up: Renault-Nissan hits 250,000 EVs, will the next Toyota Prius be an SUV?

Will the next Toyota Prius be an SUV? Mazda and Toyota recently reached an agreement to share powertrain technologies, which will help Mazda comply with California's tightening ZEV restrictions with a plug-in vehicle. On the flip side, Toyota will have access Mazda's Skyactiv diesel powertrain, which a source tells Motoring will be used in an SUV based on the Toyota Prius (and, as Hybrid Cars suggests, on the Toyota C-HR concept). Interestingly, the collaboration will also give Mazda access to Toyota's fuel cell technology, which could mean more hydrogen powered cars on the road and the subsequent expansion of hydrogen fueling infrastructure. Could it also make way for a long-awaited hydrogen powered rotary-engine sports car from Mazda?Read more at Motoring.

Samsung SDI unveiled two new lithium-ion stationary batteries at Intersolar Europe. In doing so, Samsung throws its hat in the ring with the likes of automakers Tesla and Mercedes-Benz, using knowledge from electric vehicle batteries in the arena of home solar energy storage. In addition to its 3.6-kWh battery, its new 5.5-kWh and 8.0-kWh batteries offer storage solutions at a larger, more practical scale for solar customers. Called the All-in-One, the battery system, borrowed from electric vehicles, is made up of a photovoltaic inverter, battery PCS and lithium-ion battery, and promises efficiency, compactness, fast installation and an affordable price. Read more from Samsung SDI.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has sold its 250,000th electric vehicle. The quarter-millionth EV was a white Renault Zoesold to a French computer engineer from Bordeaux named Yves Nivelle. While he credits a government program offering a €10,000 rebate for EV buyers trading in an older diesel vehicle for helping him make the decision to pull the trigger on the new Zoe, "I have to say, I was convinced the first time I drove the car. It's a real pleasure to drive and it feels good to do my part for the environment," says Nivelle. The Alliance had sold around 31,600 EVs from January to May this year, up 15 percent from the first five months of 2014. See the video above, and read more in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

Renault-Nissan Alliance sells its 250,000th electric vehicle

• Historic EV milestone reached in early June
• Alliance sells half of all EVs globally
• EV sales up nearly 15 percent through May vs. same period last year
• Nissan LEAF remains world's best-selling EV
• Frenchman from Bordeaux bought 250,000th Alliance EV: a Renault ZOE

PARIS/YOKOHAMA (June 24, 2015)—The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the world's leader in zero-emission mobility, has sold its 250,000th electric vehicle: a white Renault ZOE sold to a French engineer.

The Alliance reached the historic milestone in early June, 4 ½ years after the launch of the Nissan LEAF, the world's first mass-market zero-emission vehicle.* The Alliance today accounts for half of the electric vehicles sold worldwide. Nissan LEAF remains the best-selling electric vehicle of all time, with more than 180,000 units sold.

From January through May, the Alliance sold about 31,600 EVs -- up nearly 15 percent over the same period of last year.

"Demand for our electric vehicles continues to grow thanks to government incentives and the expanding charging infrastructure," said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. "The positive response of our customers is also driving demand. These vehicles enjoy some of the highest levels of satisfaction rates from our customers around the world."

Frenchman from Bordeaux takes delivery of 250,000th EV
The 250,000th owner is Yves Nivelle, a computer engineer, who traded in his 21-year-old diesel car for the subcompact Renault ZOE. Nivelle bought his EV after the French government introduced an environmental bonus in April to allow owners of older, polluting diesel cars to trade them in and get a rebate of €10,000 on a new EV.
"The government's environmental bonus was a big factor in my decision to get an EV," Nivelle said. "But I have to say, I was convinced the first time I drove the car. It's a real pleasure to drive and it feels good to do my part for the environment."

Alliance has full range of six 100% EVs; Renault leads in Europe

With six models on the road, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is the only global car group with a full range of 100% electric vehicles. In addition to the LEAF, Nissan also sells the e-NV200 van, which has been on sale in Europe and Japan since last year. In addition to the ZOE, Renault also sells the Renault Kangoo Z.E van, the SM3 Z.E. sedan and the Twizy, a two-seater urban commuter vehicle.

Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan has sold 185,000 electric vehicles worldwide since December 2010, when the Nissan LEAF went on sale. LEAF has collected numerous industry honors, including the 2011 World Car of the Year, European Car of the Year 2011, and Car of the Year Japan 2011-2012. The LEAF is sold in 46 markets. Nissan's top EV markets are the United States, with about 80,000 sales since LEAF's launch, Japan with about 53,500 units, and Europe with about 41,500.

Renault, based in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, has sold 65,000 electric vehicles worldwide since its first model, the Kangoo Z.E., went on sale in October 2011. Kangoo Z.E. was voted International Van of the Year 2012.

Renault was the No. 1 EV brand in Europe for the last two months, with a market share of 26 percent. Renault's top markets are France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Norway. In France, where ZOE is the most popular EV with almost half the market, the government's environmental bonus allows drivers to lease the ZOE, including the battery, for as little as €99 a month.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance was recently chosen as the official passenger-car provider for the United Nation's COP21 climate conference in Paris from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. The Alliance will provide a fleet of 200 EVs to shuttle delegates to the annual conference. It will be the first time the U.N. will use a zero-emission fleet for its entire passenger car shuttle at a COP event.

Renault: Subcompact EVs To Have 200 Mile Range By 2020

Range remains the biggest hurdle for electric cars to overcome, and low-cost, compact electric cars have the most ground to make up. While many remain skeptical that electric cars will ever have enough range to replace conventional cars, Renault thinks that by 2020, most compact EVs will boast a range of 200 miles or more between charges.

That would meet the needs of 99% of consumers, most of whom don’t drive more than 60 miles per day anyways. But for those rare long trips, waiting up to 12 hours between charges just won’t do when you have a long trip to make. That is why automakers like Renault, with its Japanese ally Nissan, are investing a lot of time and money into battery research, and Renault is particularly bearish on the promises of battery technology.

Not only are batteries supposed to get cheaper and lighter, but they’ll store more energy too. Remi Bastien, in an interview with Auto Express discussing a next-gen plug-in hybrid, thinks that current battery technology is only 50% of the way there. By 2020 he expects we’ll see subcompact EVs like the Nissan Leaf or Renault Zoe Z.E. boasting 200 miles or more of range, at least on the European testing cycle. In the U.S. the range rating is more likely to be in the 150 mile range, but that’s still more than double what most EVs are rated at today.

2020 isn’t that far away, and the future for electric vehicles is looking a little brighter. It’ll be interesting to see which predictions pan out, and which were straight hyperbole.

Source: Auto Express

Future Of Electric Cars Depends On China, Says Nissan CEO Ghosn

China is the future of the electric car.

At least, that's what Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn believes.

Speaking to the Associated Press at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show, he said the car industry is carefully watching China to see how it decides to reduce emissions.

When the Chinese do make their move, it will bring on "the explosion of the electriccar," Ghosn said. (His words, not ours.)

2013 Nissan Leaf

While no one wants exploding electric cars, it's not surprising that Ghosn is hoping for an increase in demand from China.

Both Renault and Nissan have bet heavily on electricity as the ultimate alternative to fossil fuels.

Together, Renault and Nissan have sold over 100,000 electric cars, the majority of them Nissan Leafs.

Nissan sold 2,420 Leafs in the United States last month, a new high for the model, and will have sold about 80,000 globally by the end of this month.

Will China keep Renault-Nissan's electric car sales streak alive?

A vast fleet of electric cars is one of the main goals of the Chinese government's "new energy vehicle" policy, although how it will actually boost sales remains a bit of a mystery.

"New energy vehicle" originally meant electric cars, but the government revised the standard in 2011, shifting the focus to hybrids and other technologies that could potentially boost fuel efficiency.

Beijing Smog by Flickr user michaelhenley

At the time, the Chinese government set a goal of having one million new energy vehicles on the road by 2015. The bar waslowered to 500,000 vehicles in a revised version of the policy released last year.

While China has continually revised its goals to bring them more in line with reality, it hasn't given up on electrification altogether.

Just recently, it added new incentives on electric cars while largely ignoring hybrids.

Ghosn undoubtedly hopes things stay that way.

Source: Green Car Reports

Smart ForFour, Renault Twingo going rear-wheel drive on same platform

The alliance between Smart parent Daimler and Renault-Nissan is getting stronger with word that the companies' ForFour and Twingo urban minicars will share a rear-wheel drive platform.

A three-year-old collaboration agreement has Renault-Nissan producing gasoline and electric versions of the ForFour alongside the similarly sized Twingo at the factory in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.

The agreement is designed to cut production costs. The bad news is that the new models won't launch until 2014, instead of in 2013 as both companies previously announced. The delay could be due to switching the Twingo from front- to rear-wheel drive, but neither manufacturer is confirming or denying this development.The two companies also are collaborating on a common electric powertrain and battery for EV versions of both models.

European sales of the Twingo fell 31 percent last year to less than 100,000 units, dropping the car to fourth in the segment behind the No. 1 Fiat Panda, Fiat 500 and Volkswagen Up!, according to data from market researcher JATO Dynamics. At the same time, Smart's global sales rose 2 percent to just over 100,000 vehicles, says Green Car Congress. Renault hopes that by moving the Twingo to rear-wheel drive, it will give them a unique talking point in sales. Us? We hope it will lead to higher-performance hot hatch, of which Renault has a strong history.


Source: Autoblog Green

Renault and Better Place partner in Australia to launch Fluence Z.E. with switchable battery in 2012

Renault Fluence Z.E.

Renault and Better Place formed a strategic partnership in Australia, expanding their global relationship. Under this agreement, Renault will import the first electric car equipped with a switchable battery, the Fluence Z.E., into Australia, and Better Place will provide the electric car charging network and services that make the car more convenient and affordable for the mass market.

Renault and Better Place will commence a joint marketing campaign in the lead up to launch in 2012. The cars will arrive in Australia by the middle of 2012 for the first customers in Canberra, with general sales due to commence later in the year. Customers will buy the Fluence Z.E. from Renault and sign up for a Better Place membership package that is tailored for their driving needs.

As the first production mid-size sedan electric vehicle, Renault Fluence Z.E. is targeting both private motorists and fleet operators who are looking for a vehicle that is both economical to run and more respectful of the environment.

The switchable battery technology offsets the range limitation of traditional EVs, as a depleted battery can be exchanged for a fully charged one at Better Place’s fully automated battery switch stations. The car will be fully compliant with ADR. The Fluence Z.E. will offer Australian drivers a range of 185 kilometers (115 miles) on a full charge, under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

Better Place is building and operating the first fully integrated electric car charging network in Australia, and it will be the infrastructure provider for the innovative Fluence Z.E. Better Place has announced its plans to begin the deployment of its infrastructure in Canberra, Australia’s capital city, starting in late 2011, with a progressive national rollout to follow. By 2013, Better Place says it will give Australia the largest electric car charge network in the world, which is expected to outpace current deployment plans in market-leading countries including the US and China.

The Better Place membership provides unlimited access to batteries, the network of public charge spots and battery switch stations, and personal charge spots at home or work. The membership also includes supply of 100% renewable electricity, personalized energy management and navigation services via in-car and network software and 24-hour access to customer service and support. The membership packages give drivers a fixed price for their mobility, freeing them form the constant volatility of gasoline prices.

Customers will be able to purchase Fluence Z.E. in selected Renault dealers, as well as through Better Place Experience Centres. Most Renault dealers will provide after sales support for Fluence Z.E., both for regular service and specific repairs.

Australian homes have an average of 2.7 cars per household and one million new passenger and light commercial vehicles are sold every year. Average fuel consumption is 11 L/100 km (21.4 mpg US) and average mileage 20,000 to 25,000 km (12,400 to 15,500 miles) a year.

Electric mobility is a key strategic move from Renault. Together with Nissan, Renault will be investing 4 billion euros in electric cars. Fluence Z.E. is the first electric car that enables virtually unlimited mileage, thanks to the battery swap technology. It will be sold everywhere in Europe and together with Better Place, in Israel and Denmark. We think Fluence Z.E., together with Better Place switch stations, will be a very attractive offer for Australian customers, who traditionally commute long distances.

—Thierry Koskas, Renault’s VP for Electric Vehicle program

Source: Green Car Congress

Renault-Nissan Alliance opens Silicon Valley research office

PRESS RELEASE

The automotive group's Mountain View facility will focus on vehicle IT, advanced engineering research, and technology recruitment.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will open a research office later this month in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Directly across from the Google campus and minutes from leading hardware and software companies, the offices in Mountain View will allow one of the world's largest automotive groups to capitalize on the region's world-class engineering talent and stay ahead of trends that are reshaping the way people interact with their cars.

The office will build staff organically to focus on specific projects and business developments as they emerge. Small, highly efficient teams will initially work on vehicle IT development, advanced engineering research and technology recruitment.

"The Alliance is at the vanguard of the auto industry's shift to sustainable transportation. Having a greater footprint in one of the world's headquarters for clean tech research will extend our lead further," said Carlos Ghosn, CEO and Chairman of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, who is giving a talk at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR) today. Ghosn's "Clean Cars" presentation at Stanford will focus on how and why zero-emission technologies is leading to unprecedented opportunities in the auto industry and economy.

Created in 1999, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is a unique partnership between two of the largest automakers in Europe and Japan. Renault and Nissan, which together employ more than 350,000 workers, sold 7.2 million cars in 2010 – about one in 10 cars worldwide. Paris-based Renault and Yokohama-based Nissan collaborate through joint purchasing, platform sharing and cross-shareholding. They maintain separate brands and cultural identities.

$5.4 Billion Commitment to Sustainable Mobility
The Nissan LEAF, which debuted last year, is the world's first affordable, mass-marketed pure electric vehicle, and it's the first product from the Alliance's $5.4 billion investment in zero-emission cars. Upcoming debuts include an Infiniti premium electric sedan, the Renault Twizy urban commuter car for Europe, and utility vans for commercial fleets. All can be charged purely with renewable energy, for 100 percent zero emissions "well to wheel."

Nissan will use the Silicon Valley office to focus on vehicle IT research, including graphical user-interface displays, in-car Internet connectivity and smart-grid research. Nissan's "Carwings" telematics system, a standard in every Nissan LEAF, includes a seven-inch touchscreen with maps of recharging stations and real-time reports on energy consumption. Nissan has delivered more than 7,500 LEAFs worldwide.

Renault, one of the largest carmakers in Europe, will be launching a broad range of affordable, zero-emission cars for overseas markets. Renault Fluence ZE, which debuts later this year in Europe and the Middle East, has a folding floor that enables a battery swap in less time than it takes to fill a car with gasoline. The Renault Twizy ZE is a two-seat urban commuter car, and the Renault Kangoo ZE is a utility van that is convenient and cost-effective for deliveries and other fleet uses.

Renault's Silicon Valley work will focus on research and advanced engineering, in particular electric vehicles and their supplier and infrastructure ecosystem, on-board services and business development.

Renault-Nissan Alliance is a strategic partnership between Paris-based Renault and Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan. The companies have 350,000 employees and account for one in 10 new cars sold annually around the world. The Alliance is committed to developing a wide range of cars and trucks for consumers in every major price and size segment -- including low-cost cars, urban commuter cars, commercial vans, premium vehicles and SUVs. The Alliance is the global auto industry leader in sustainable transportation and the only car group mass-producing zero-emission vehicles. For more details, visit http://blog.alliance-renault-nissan.com/.

Need a Cheap EV? Renault Twizy May Be The Answer

Great press conference at the Geneva auto show from Renault’s design chief Laurens Van Den Acker who took the limelight to unveil two new concepts – and the pricing for the Twizy EV, a price that took most observers by surprise.

There wasn’t enough room on the stand for all the journalists who wanted to attend and they spilled over onto adjacent stands; here was a good indication of the high expectation that something special was going to be unveiled. And Laurens and the design team didn’t disappoint.

But first the hot news was that the Twizy EV will cost from €6,990 ($9700 US); to lease the battery is just €45 ($62) a month, so not much more than some people pay for their monthly mobile phone charges.

Twizy goes on sale at selected Renault dealers in Europe from the end of this year. The two concepts, R-Space and Captur, show how the synergies within the Alliance can really help both Renault and Nissan.

The R-Space is the third concept car to be completed under the direction of Laurens and represents the "Family" stage in the company’s new design strategy.
R-Space is powered by an Alliance-developed turbocharged three-cylinder, 110 hp, 900cc petrol engine mated to an Efficient Dual Clutch transmission (EDC). This engine previews the new range of Alliance modular TCe engines, Energy TCe, which Renault will begin launching next year. Its CO2 emissions have been kept to just 95g/km, equivalent to fuel consumption of just 3.7 litres/100km.

The Captur is a crossover concept. It uses a twin-turbo engine-concept, developed from the new 1.6 dCi, Energy dCi 130. Downsizing is a key element in Renault’s strategy to meet its declared objective of being Europe’s leading automaker with regard to CO2 emissions.

The range of electric vehicles will run alongside internal-combustion engined models that combine performance with contained fuel consumption. This Energy dCi Concept engine fits perfectly within this strategy. It produces 118kW (160hp) from a capacity of 1.6 litres. Paired with a dual clutch EDC gearbox, this driveline promises genuinely enjoyable driving with CO2 emissions of 99g/km.

Source: Renault Alliance

Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG announce wide-ranging strategic cooperation

PRESS RELEASE:

Cooperation on the next-generation smart fortwo and Renault Twingo, including electric versions, as well as on expanding the smart and Twingo families
* Widespread powertrain sharing and co-development on future projects with applications across passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, specifically:
- The sharing and co-development of diesel and gasoline engines from the Renault-Nissan Alliance; to be used in the new smart and Renault Twingo and to be adapted and modified with Mercedes-Benz characteristics for its new generation of premium compact cars
- The sharing of gasoline and diesel engines coming from Daimler to Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan Motor Company, and providing the opportunity for further collaboration
- The sharing of a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel engine and transmission for the Mercedes-Benz Vito

* Collaboration in the field of light commercial vehicles
* One-time cross-shareholding amounting to 3.1% of each partner’s equity capital
* Additional synergies encompassing selective common purchasing opportunities, exchange of operational benchmarks and best practices to be shared across both groups

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG today announced a broad strategic cooperation that will enable both groups to already realize benefits quickly from a range of concrete projects as well as sharing of best practices. The two groups also announced an equity exchange that will give the Renault-Nissan Alliance a 3.1% stake in Daimler, and Daimler a 3.1% stake in Renault and a 3.1% stake in Nissan.

According to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, “Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are combining common interests to form a promising foundation for a successful, strategically sound cooperation that is based on a number of very concrete and attractive project cooperations. Our skills complement each other very well. Right away, we are strengthening our competitiveness in the small and compact car segment and are reducing our CO2 footprint – both on a long-term basis. We know that we can make brand-typical products based on shared architectures. The individual brand identities will remain unaffected.”

Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, said: “The Renault-Nissan Alliance knows how to work successfully in collaborative partnerships, and this experience is extremely valuable in today’s and even more tomorrow’s global auto industry. This agreement will extend our strategic collaboration and create lasting value for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler as we work on broadening and strengthening our product offering, efficiently utilizing all available resources and developing the innovative technologies required in the coming decade.”

Highlights of the Cooperation

Following intensive and productive talks, specific projects have been agreed upon and will be implemented with immediate effect. Specifically:

New common architecture for small vehicles

The successor to the current smart fortwo, a new smart four-seater and the next-generation Renault Twingo will be engineered on the basis of a jointly developed architecture. All vehicles will clearly differ from each other in terms of product design. One main characteristic of the new architecture will be the unique rear wheel drive concept used by current smart vehicles.

The launches of the jointly developed models are planned for 2013 onwards. The smart plant in Hambach, France will be the production location for the two-seater versions, while the Renault plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia will be the production location for the four-seater versions. Right from its market launch, the jointly developed future models will also be available with an electric drive.

Powertrains

The focus of the cooperation in the powertrain area is on the sharing of highly fuel-efficient, diesel and gasoline engines between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance will provide 3 and 4 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines out of its portfolio to Daimler, which will then be adapted and modified to reflect Mercedes’ characteristics. The result is a win-win situation for both sides: Daimler will be able to utilize Renault-Nissan Alliance engines and capture additional sales potential for Mercedes-Benz’ future lineup of premium compact cars, while the Renault-Nissan Alliance will improve its capacity utilization.

Daimler will provide gasoline and diesel engines out of its current portfolio to Infiniti. This includes 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The result is a win-win situation for both sides: Infiniti will be able to utilize Daimler engines, while Daimler will improve its capacity utilization.

Daimler, Renault and Nissan will also cooperate on future gasoline and diesel engines. Final production decisions for newly, co-developed engines will be taken at a later time, seeking a production network that is well balanced, thus benefiting all sides.

The area of engine cooperation will be driven by a technical concept that ensures the preservation and clear distinctiveness of the individual respective brand and product identities, while at the same time providing a highly competitive cost structure. First, a high level of standardization of the non-brand-relevant components will provide substantial savings for both partners. Second, the use of separate, brand-specific technology packages will ensure that the requirements of the respective brands are met.

A key objective is to increase competitiveness of all partners through a substantial increase in volumes, leading to economies of scale and cost sharing in development.

Collaboration on light commercial vehicles

The companies have also agreed on a close cooperation in the light commercial vehicle segment. Mercedes-Benz Vans will expand its portfolio to offer an all-new entry-level, intended for commercial usage, from 2012 onwards. The technical basis of this van will come from Renault and will be produced at the Renault plant in Maubeuge, France. Both partners will benefit from higher unit sales, better capacity utilization, shared investment burden, resulting in a better overall cost basis.

In addition to cooperating on small commercial vehicles, selected powertrain components will also be shared to enlarge mid-size van product offering and sales volumes. This includes a small diesel engine and transmissions which Daimler will procure from Renault-Nissan for its mid-size van, the Mercedes-Benz Vito. This additional entry-level motorization will generate additional unit sales for Mercedes-Benz and optimized capacity utilization at Renault.

Equity Exchanges

This strategic cooperation is underscored through a one-time cross-shareholding structure which enables the three companies to exchange, benchmark and create synergies on the basis of a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. The overall construction of the deal is based on the principle of a 3.1/3.1/3.1 percentage cross-holding between Renault, Nissan and Daimler; it will be transacted through an exchange of shares:

* Daimler will get 3.1% of Renault’s newly issued shares;
* Daimler will get from Renault 3.1% of Nissan existing shares;
* Renault will get 3.1% of Daimler shares
* Renault has independently agreed to exchange 1.55% of Daimler with Nissan for 2% of Nissan shares;
* Renault and Nissan will each hold 1.55 % of Daimler treasury shares.

EDF and the Renault-Nissan Alliance Strengthen Their Partnership For Electric Mobility

PRESS RELEASE:

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan, and Henri Proglio, CEO of EDF, signed agreements at the ParisMotor Show to further their cooperation in the field of electric mobility. Two years after signing a collaboration contract with a view to preparing the electric mobility of the future, EDF
and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are confirming and extending their activities with today’s agreements, notably inthree areas that are essential for developing a mass market for electric vehicles:

- Cooperation on batteries: tests, management of the first and second lives of batteries
- Conducting pilot projects to test electric vehicles and innovative charging infrastructure
- Creation of mobility offers for electric vehicle customers.

Starting in 2011, EDF and the Renault-Nissan Alliance will put their know-how and resources together in order togive customers easy access to simple, practical and economical recharging equipment.A person buying an electric Renault or Nissan vehicle will be put in contact, via the vehicle dealership, with one of EDF’s partner electricians present across the country and selected for the quality of their services. The service will include monitoring the customer’s electric equipment and, where necessary, ensuring it complies with prevailing standards and fitting an electric socket adapted to the recommendations of Renault and Nissan.

For businesses and public authorities looking to use electric vehicles, their Renault or Nissan sales advisor willput them in direct contact with an EDF group contact, who will advise them directly on the charging infrastructuresthey need as well as on their electricity supply contract for EDF customers.

During the press conference, Henri Proglio said, ‘’With the agreements we are signing today, EDF is committingitself to accompany Renault and Nissan’s electric vehicle customers so that they can fully enjoy their new acquisition, with electric energy up to five times less expensive per kilometer than gasoline or fuel, while contributing to preservation of the environment without any emissions of noise, pollution or odors.’’

Carlos Ghosn commented, ‘‘Our shared aim is to make electric vehicles a rational alternative to internalcombustion engined vehicles. We want motorists to see the electric vehicle as a solution that respects the environment, and that is economical, reliable and simple.

Through this partnership, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and EDF are pooling their expertise to make electric mobility a reality, and to make France a pioneer in the
development of electric vehicles.’’

The Renault 2010 Environment Workshop - Electric Vehicles

The Renault Fluence Z.E. EV

Renault held a “2010 Environment Workshop” last week to showcase its progress across its range of vehicles’ full lifecycle through the Renault eco² program.

In terms of powertrain technologies, Renault focused on the introduction of new technologies for internal combustion engines and conventional transmissions, as well as outlining its commitment to electric powertrains. Renault will begin selling affordable mass-production electric vehicles in 2011; the Alliance is aiming to be the market leader in sales of mass market Zero-Emission (during road use) vehicles.

Renault estimates that electric vehicles will account for 10% of the world market by 2020.

Leveraging the Alliance. A decade after the establishment of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the two companies stepped up their cooperation in May 2009. This included the creation of a team dedicated to speeding up and broadening the synergies that will enable both companies to improve their performance, and more particularly in the field of electric vehicles.

In addition to equipping the electric vehicles produced by Renault and Nissan with batteries developed by AESC, a Nissan-NEC joint venture, the Alliance has pooled the expertise of Renault and Nissan to strengthen synergies at every level and encourage the sharing of major electrical assemblies, such as powertrains and batteries.

Renault and Nissan also share purchasing requirements and have standardized components to generate economies of scale with a view to making it possible to develop mass-market electric vehicles.

Batteries. Battery production is poised to become a core activity for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Renault and Nissan will manufacture lithium-ion batteries on three continents—America, Asia and Europe—with a view to supplying the body assembly factories where the forthcoming EVs will be produced from a local source.

This multi-locality arrangement will permit a secure supply flow and ensure logistics-related cost savings, Renault said, while at the same time enabling significant production volumes to be turned over.

In the longer term, this set-up will allow the Alliance to produce more than 500,000 battery packs annually.

The AESC Li-ion battery pack to be applied in Renault’s first wave of EVs comprises 48 power modules, each comprising four cells, positioned in two rows, side by side. The four cells of each module store 8.4V each, making a combined total of 400V for the 48 modules that make up the battery.

The Alliance is actively working on establishing recycling processes and infrastructures suited to Li-ion automotive batteries.

Range optimization. Renault is trying to make optimization as straightforward and efficient as possible. A specific MMI (Man Machine Interface) has been developed to keep the driver informed about the vehicle’s current state of charge and remaining range:

• a gauge alongside the speedometer displays the battery’s level of charge.

• an “econo-meter” uses a new a new color-coded system to tell the driver how economical his or her driving is in terms of energy consumption (light blue for “normal” vehicle use, dark blue for “optimal” driving and red for excessive energy consumption likely to reduce the vehicle’s range).

• The trip computer is adapted to the needs of electric vehicles and indicates the number of kWh remaining, average and instantaneous energy consumption and remaining range (in kilometers).

Three battery-charging techniques. Renault is supporting three battery-charging techniques in its EVs:

• A standard charge using a conventional plug via the household supply or at the workplace (between six and eight hours).

• Fast charge: permits batteries to be charged to 80% of their capacity in 30 minutes.

• Battery exchange stations: rapid battery exchange in bespoke exchange stations. In Israel, Better Place is currently putting a network of such stations into place. About 100 will be operational in 2011 and they will be compatible with Renault’s first all-electric saloon car, Fluence Z.E.. Other stations will be opened progressively in other countries.

Customers. The four electric cars which make up the range of models that will begin to be introduced from mid-2011 are aimed at distinct types of customers:

• Twizy Z.E. Concept is an innovative two-seater vehicle which targets city dwellers looking for a safer, more comfortable, zero-emission (during road use) alternative to a scooter.

• Zoe Z.E. Concept is a versatile, Clio-sized city car which covers all types of everyday use, from the daily journey to work and school runs, to trips to the shops. It is the core model of the electric vehicle range.

• Fluence Z.E. targets a third type of motorist. As an electric version of the Fluence saloon car, this spacious five-seater is designed for single-car families and packs all the appointments expected of a D-segment vehicle.

• Kangoo Express Z.E. is aimed at fleet operators and business customers.

Surveys reveal that 50% of versatile, Clio-type hatchbacks are never used for long trips, Renault said. Instead, they tend to serve essentially for short journeys, although half of owners cover 50 km (31 miles) daily (i.e. 12,000 km (7,456 miles) per year based on 240 days’ use).

In the month-and-a-half since the opening of on-line pre-bookings via the Renault-ze.com website on 15 April 2010, early interest for Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Express Z.E. amounts to 2,500 orders. Interest has come predominantly from private motorists (87%), with some 80% of pre-bookings concerning Fluence Z.E..

Source: Green Car Congress

French Government to Order 50,000 Electric Vehicles

The All-Electric Fluence Z.E.









These are the headlines that truly make a difference. The French Government is making a huge statement by putting their money where their mouth is. Instead of droning on about the need for alternate energy transportation, the French are kick-starting the industry by placing this massive order. The United States should take note and then order 100,000 vehicles! I would much rather see Congress spend a trillion on making its fleet run on electricity rather than bail out evil banking institutions.

From Gas2.0:

The objective of a government is to lead, though the exact definition of “leading” has always been up for subjective interpretation. Whether that means leading in an Orwellian sense, by controlling every aspect of your life, or by simply providing the bare necessities to stave off anarchy, government is essential on at least some level. Personally, I think if the government expects the citizenry to act responsibly, they should lead by example.

So I give big props to the French government, something I rarely do. The French government has announced that it will purchase an astounding 50,000 electric vehicles for government fleet use over the next few years. Talk about putting your money where your mouth is.

Actually, they haven’t really put any money on the table yet for these cars, so I’m jumping the gun a bit. And it isn’t like France is the first government to announce such support for electric vehicles. Plenty of governments are going out of their way to make buying an electric car easier on the wallet. Here in the U.S. we have a $7,500 tax credit for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, as well as state incentives. Ireland is providing a tax credit of its own, placing lots of charging points across the country, and placing a sizable order of electric vehicles itself. But France seems to want to take the lead on electric vehicles, and is working with 20 corporations to fill out its order form.

I expect most of the electric vehicles will come from the Renault-Nissan alliance. After all, Renault is a French company, and Renault-Nissan already announced deals with other countries like Ireland. Still, 50,000 electric vehicles would replace a large chunk of the French government’s fleet, and while the intial cost might be staggering, I think France will find more than enough money saved on maintenance and fuel. They are also offering a $6,600 tax credit for electric vehicle buyers through 2012. I just hope France plans on installing enough charging points to handle the extra burden of electric cars.

Let’s just hope France follows through on this commitment. It might convince more than a few fence sitters that electric is the way to go.

Renault Releases Specifications For Fluence ZE and Is Ready For Pre-Reservations

The Sleek and Stylish Renault Fluence Z.E.










Renault is serious about the electrification of the automobile and they are putting their money where their mouth is. They estimate that electric vehicles will account for 10% of the world market by 2020. Seems a little high for only ten years down the road but we certainly hope they are right.

Here are some of the specs for the Fluence ZE:

• Fluence Z.E. is powered by a synchronous electric motor with rotor coil. Peak power is 70 kW000 rpm,000rpm, while maximum torque is 226 N·m (167 lb-ft). The weight of the motor—excluding peripherals—is 160 kg.

• The capacity of Renault Fluence Z.E.’s lithium-ion battery is 22 kWh. The battery weighs 250 g and is located behind the rear seats in order to free up a trunk volume of 300 dm³ (VDA/ISO). An energy recovery system enables the battery to be charged when the car decelerates.

• Charging is possible in one of three ways: via a household mains supply (10A or 16A, 220V) which will fully charge the battery in between six and 9 eight hours; at fast charge stations using a 32A 400V supply which enables the battery to be charged in approximately 30 minutes (available in 2012 or 2013, depending on model); and the QuickDrop battery switch system which will enable Renault Fluence Z.E.’s battery to be swapped in approximately three minutes at bespoke battery exchange stations.

• In order to adapt the ride to Renault Fluence Z.E.’s specific characteristics (dimensions, weight distribution), the suspension has revised settings compared with the layout seen oncombustion-enginedionengined versions of Fluence. The front suspension setting is softer, since electric motors are lighter than all the internal combustion engines available for Fluence. Meanwhile, the rear suspension has been revised to cope with the heavier weight due to the presence of the battery.

• Renault Fluence Z.E. runs on low rolling resistance tires. The Goodyear-developed EfficientGrip enables lower energy consumption thanks to extensive work on tire casings and sidewalls. The tread is identical to that of a conventional tire in order to ensure high-performance road holding and braking.

• The ABS and ESC electronic driving aids have been recalibrated. On the passive safety front, Renault Fluence Z.E.’s body structure has been strengthened in order to deliver the same high standard of safety performance as the shorter and consequently lighter internal combustion-engined version.

• Range is 160 km (99 miles) NEDC combined cycle. Top speed is 135 km/h (84 mph).

Production will begin in the first half of 2011. We are uncertain what a "pre-reservation" amounts to, however!

Renault To Offer Kangoo be bop Z.E. Prototype For Test Drives

As always, we love to pass along these types of reports, which outline auto manufacturer's plans for bringing alternate energy vehicles to market. Unfortunately, there is no mention of bringing these EV's to the US marketplace.

From Green Car Congress:

Electric motor and power electronics package for the be bop Z.E. Click to enlarge

Renault will make its Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. prototype electric vehicle (earlier post) available for test drives. The technology seen on this car is very similar to that which will feature on the brand’s upcoming production vehicles currently under development, and due to go on sale in 2011.

The Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. prototype is powered by a 44kW (60hp) electric motor and is equipped with a 15 kWh Li-ion battery pack. With 18 months remaining before the release of Renault’s forthcoming production electric vehicles, Kangoo be bop Z.E. provides a range of approximately 100 km (62 miles). By the time of their launch, Renault’s electric vehicles will have benefited from an evolution to their battery technology which will take their real-world range to 160 km (100 miles), according to the company.

Electric Powertrain. The car is powered by a 44kW (60hp) electric motor which boasts energy efficiency of 90%. This motor revs to 12,000 rpm and immediately delivers peak torque, which is a constant 190 N·m (140 lb-ft). Acceleration and pull-away from low speeds are particularly responsive.

Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s electric motor is coupled to a reducer which replaces the gearbox traditionally mated to internal combustion engines. This reducer has a single output ratio and ensures linear, stepless acceleration.

Electrical energy is transmitted to the motor via a power electronics unit which incorporates a controller. This transforms the 400V direct current into three-phase alternating current to power the motor’s rotor and stator. It also regulates the power and torque of the electric motor.

Situated near the controller, the converter converts the 400V DC stored in the traction battery into 12V DC to feed Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s conventional onboard electrics and auxiliary functions (interior and exterior lighting, audio system, electric windows, etc.).

The junction box distributes the power current to the motor functions (battery, climate control and heating systems). This junction box also includes the charger which converts the 220V AC into 400V DC for battery charging purposes.

The 15 kWh lithium-ion battery pack from AESC (Automotive Electric Supply Corporation, a Nissan-NEC joint venture founded in April 2007), comprises 48 power modules, each of which incorporates four elementary cells. The modules are positioned in two rows, side by side. The four cells of each module store 8.4V, making a combined total of 400V for the 48 modules which make up the battery.

The AESC battery is maintenance-free and is expected to deliver between 80 and 100% of its original capacity for an average duration of six years. It will also be possible to charge it for short cycles with no adverse effect on capacity.

The compact dimensions of lithium-ion batteries enable the vehicle’s architecture to be optimized. In the case of Kangoo be bop Z.E., the 250 kg (551 pounds) battery is housed underneath the floor, between the front and rear seats. Its fitment required several modifications to the structure compared with the standard Kangoo be bop:

• The central section of Kangoo be bop’s floor was modified to house the battery without having to modify the wheelbase.
• To accommodate the battery, the floor is 45mm higher. As a consequence, the front seat rails are located directly beneath the seats in order to maintain the same cushion height. In addition, the car’ s ride-height has been lowered by 20mm to ensure the same access for rear passengers.

The battery of the production electric Kangoo Express will be located underneath the trunk floor, without affecting cargo space. The battery is cooled by ambient air flow due to the heat dissipation properties of its aluminium casing.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is actively working on establishing recycling processes and infrastructures suited to automotive batteries. To put the demand for lithium supplies into perspective, the Alliance’s 250kg AESC batteries contain 3 kg of lithium. According to the mining companies Chemetall and SQM, lithium reserves are currently estimated to be between 14 and 17 million tonnes.

Charging methods. Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. is charged via a socket located behind a flap at the front of the vehicle alongside the right-hand headlamp. Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. permits two different battery-charging methods:

• A conventional charge via a household mains supply (10A or 16A 220V) which can charge the vehicle in between six and eight hours. This method is suited to vehicles which are parked up overnight or during the day at the workplace.

• A faster charge using a 32A 400V three-phase socket (infrastructure in the process of being developed) enables 80% of Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E.’s battery to be charged in approximately 30 minutes.

Kangoo be bop Z.E. is not equipped for rapid battery exchange, although this facility will be available on the other vehicles of the future range.

Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. is equipped with a Marechal-type socket which will not feature on the production electric Kangoo Express. Twenty or so car manufacturers—including Renault&madsh;and energy groups are currently working with the German group RWE with a view to developing a standard plug.

This universal standard plug was shown in Hannover last April and will be employed to charge Renault’s forthcoming electric vehicles. This three-phase plug can be used with a 400V supply and, by the time these vehicles come to market, will enable a complete battery charge in approximately 20 minutes. This multi-partner agreement marks a significant step forward regarding the development of mass-market electric vehicles.

Range optimization. In addition to the information provided by the exterior gauges, Renault has developed a specific MMI (Man Machine Interface) to keep the driver informed about the vehicle’s current state of charge and remaining range:

• A gauge alongside the speedometer displays the battery’s level of charge;

• An “econo-meter” uses a new a new color-coded system to tell the driver how economical his or her driving is in terms of energy consumption (light blue for “normal” vehicle use, dark blue for “optimal” driving and red for excessive energy consumption likely to reduce the vehicle’s range).

• The trip computer is adapted to the needs of electric vehicles and indicates the number of kWh remaining, average and instantaneous energy consumption and remaining range (in kilometers).

EDF and Renault recently signed an agreement concerning a battery charging system known as Power Line Communication (PLC) which permits communication between charge terminals and electric vehicles. This EDF-developed technique enables the safe exchange of data between the charge terminal and the vehicle with a view to transferring invoicing details and the location of the nearest station as a function of the vehicle’s remaining range. Renault will carry out integration tests with this system onboard in its upcoming vehicles.

Renault suggests that trying to accelerate as gently as possible with a view to minimizing energy consumption can be fun.

Well-to-wheel emissions, using a Mégane sedan as the baseline. Click to enlarge.

The Alliance’s EV Strategy. The Renault-Nissan Alliance intends to mass market zero-emission vehicles. This commitment is founded on the underlying principle that electric vehicles—unlike internal combustion engines and hybrids—are zero-emission vehicles during their use on the road. Depending on how the electricity they use is produced in the different countries where they are driven, their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions (equivalent carbon dioxide) can vary significantly. That said, electric vehicles generally tend to emit less greenhouse gases than equivalent internal combustion-engined vehicles.

The Alliance is actively forging associations with governments, city authorities and energy companies with a view to promoting the widespread use of electric vehicles across the world. The Alliance has already signed 26 such partnerships (up to the end of May 2009).

In May 2009, 10 years after the establishment of the Alliance, Renault and Nissan announced that their cooperation is to be stepped up. A small, bespoke team has been introduced with the mission to speed up and extend the synergies that are expected to enhance the performance of the two companies, and more particularly in the field of electric vehicles.

The electric vehicles produced by Renault and Nissan, for example, will be equipped with jointly-developed batteries. The Alliance is pooling its expertise with a view to achieving synergies at all levels and to enable key electric assemblies, such as the drive train, to be shared. Renault and Nissan are also merging their purchasing activities and pursuing the standardization of components in order to obtain the economies of scale required to permit the development of mass-market electric vehicles.

Although Renault and Nissan are seeking to share components, they are developing distinct line-ups of electric vehicles, with each line-up to be marketed and distributed separately.

Renault’s EV product plan. Click to enlarge.

Renault’s product plan. In 2011, Renault will begin by introducing two electric derivatives of vehicles which have until now been powered by an internal combustion engine. The first will be a family saloon and will go on sale in Israel and in Europe. The second, also scheduled for release in 2011, will be an electric version of Renault Kangoo Express which will above all target professionals and fleet operators.

The electric vehicle line-up will then expand into other segments, with two new cars featuring specific, particularly innovative styling and architecture engineered to house an electric motor. This vehicle, too, is planned to be introduced in 2011, while a fourth model is due to come to market at the beginning of 2012.

Renault’s first electric concept car was Z.E. Concept which was shown at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. The next step in the programme was the release of a demonstrator vehicle—Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E.—for test-drive purposes. With 18 months remaining before the launch of the first commercially available models, this demonstration car features technology currently under development. Kangoo be bop Z.E. does not preview the production electric Kangoo Express; its aim is to enable drivers to get a feel for the sensation of driving an electric vehicle and to familiarize themselves with the new technology.

In 2010, Renault will bring out prototypes of the forthcoming electric Renault Kangoo Express for road-test purposes and to show how the project has progressed, as well as continuing to introduce Renault customers to this new form of zero-emission mobility. The first production electric Renault Kangoo Express will be available in the Renault sales network by the middle of 2011.