Renault has stated they would be introducing a new improved Zoe EV with a range of around 200 miles at the Paris Auto Show. This would make for a nearly two-fold improvement in the Zoe's range that earlier was pegged at around 90 miles in real world conditions.
However, some ambiguity still exists in that the 200 miles range cited could be as per the NEDC cycle. If that be the case then the real range is likely to be much less. As such, it would be really interesting to see how much the Zoe will be capable of travelling on a single charge. It was only in March last year that the Zoe has seen its range enhanced to 90 miles.
Further, as Electrek reported, the Zoe as of now comes with a 22 kWh battery though it is not known how much of a bigger power pack the new improved Zoe EVs would come with. Renault's partner Nissan has already announced their new range of EVs would come with 60 kWh batteries though it remains to be seen if Renault too will follow the same path.
BFMTV meanwhile is reporting that the increase in range has been achieved in part to the use of a new smaller electric motor of higher efficiency that Renault has developed. Much of it can also be attributed to the use of the new battery cells sourced from LG Chem as well.
As for the car itself, the Zoe comes across as a small affordable hatchback that's designed primarily for use within city limits. While it certainly can't match up to the biggies in the EVs scene such as the Model 3 or even the Chevy Bolt, at 21,900€ ($24,500 USD) starting, the Zoe already is the biggest selling small EV in Europe and France.
According to Motor1, the Zoe went for 18,469 sales in Europe last year and commands a 20 percent and 50 percent market share in Europe and France respectively.
Meanwhile, Renault also employs a unique marketing strategy with the Zoe in that buyers don't get to own the batteries. Instead, they only get to rent them and are required to pay €49 ($55) per month for the same.
Overall, it seems exciting times ahead what with the bevy of new EVs from Mercedes, VW and et all lined up for a Paris debut.
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