SEP 18

The Frankfurt Motor Show this year has hosted a slew of hybrid and all-electric vehicles.  Renault has caused quite a bit of buzz by introducing not one, but four all-electric concept vehicles:  the Twizy Z.E., Zoe Z.E., Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E.

The Twizy is actually more like half a car.  The 1+1 city car is only 2.3 meters long and just over one meter wide, barely larger than a scooter.  It maxes out at 47 mph with its 15kW motor.

The Zoe is a compact car with a 100-mile range and a 70kW motor.  It's front and rear feature polyurethane gel bumpers.  You can also personalize your own avatar to deliver driving information and it comes with mood lighting and "hydrate, detox and active scent" climate control settings - uh, cool?

The Fluence is their version of an all-electric family vehicle.  It's a four-door, five-person sedan with a 100-mile range.

The Kangoo is an electric commercial fleet vehicle, also with a 70 kW motor and solar roof panels.

All four models will have three options for recharging:  standard charge that takes four - eight hours at any charging spot, quick charge that takes 20 minutes at special charging points and "Quickdrop" battery exchange, all of which the company has paired up with Better Place to facilitate.

Renault expects to start releasing these vehicles in 2011.

via Autoblog Green

Comments (18)

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The VW 1L 170mpg Diesel hybrid is a better idea
written by Fred, September 18, 2009

There's at least 10 days every year when I need to drive 250 miles or more.

For me, these little electric buggies are useless.

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/09/volkswagen-l1-concept/

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The VW L1 is not a better idea
written by Derek Silva, September 18, 2009

The VW L1 is utterly useless for most people. It only carries two people and will likely cost a small fortune with the technologies they're looking at using - carbon fibre and magnesium throughout most of the vehicle. Strong, not cheap.

Did you even read the descriptions Mr. Anonymous? Look at the vehicles; 3 out 4 seat as least 4 people, possibly 5 and have 3 different options for charging/exchanging batteries with a well-established pioneer (Better Place). If that's not convenient and a good iea, I don't know what is.

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Fred
written by Mark, September 18, 2009

The VW 1litre won't get us off oil.

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written by Gadget Sleuth, September 19, 2009

Not to mention, the second car looks like a roller skate and likely wouldn't be comfortable to sit in for awhile.

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"The VW L1 is utterly useless for most people."
written by Bloop, September 19, 2009

Wow, you sound really annoyed by it's existance " utterly useless".

So you've never seen a Smart Car ? They're all over the city I live in. But not your's I take it.

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written by francis, September 19, 2009

Help U.S. stop use of fossil fuels the clean earth-friendly geothermal way-while getting a 30% tax break!!!Francis http://www.geothermalquestions.net

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written by bill, September 19, 2009

I think VW has got the right idea with the L1. You do not have to always make an average car for the average family. This car will be very useful for many two car families, and for many urban dwelling singles.

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good!
written by dining room table, September 19, 2009

Earth-friendly! Nice job! Let us help each other to help our planet!

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As simple as that.
written by hsr0601, September 19, 2009

1. Batteries will become more efficient on the whole and their price will drop, whereas the oil will simply go up and up as it becomes more scarce. As simple as that.

2. The range of noticeable EVs are sufficient to meet the daily driving needs of more than 95% of drivers ((The vast majority of people (95%) drive less than 100/km a day, 82% of the respondents said they drive 40 miles or less a day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.)).

3. I'm hopeful that the charge network will extend the select districts to nation-wide scale throughout the world, and this environment can usher in active private investings in EVs.

4. I remain confident that it could give rise to multiple times as much investing effect, so to speak, some billions of investing, this simple deployment, could call into the most-sought energy independence and solid recovery around the world.

Thank You !

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written by Jack Morrison, September 19, 2009

I like the three options for charging. The climate control settings sound great too.

The future ain't what it used to be.
Yogi Berra

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written by computer, September 21, 2009

Good!...you've might never seen a Smart Car..the climate control settings sound great too... I take it.

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written by Jon, October 01, 2009

For a lot of people these cars do not meet all their car needs. But many cities have already established a car use program that has monthly fees far less than car rental companies. For those days when you need a pickup or those days you need to travel 250 miles you can just drive your electric down and use one of the fleet cars. No need to always drive a pickup or gas car for the 3 or 20 days a year that a longer range or different vehicle is needed.

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One car fits all
written by Pete, October 06, 2009

If one car met everyone's needs, Ford would never have had a second model.

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written by vulcan, October 17, 2009

when people make comments like its not practical for every one , it doesnt go far enough, please remember in the beginning no one thought the new thing called the automoble wuold replace the horse and buggy.sacrafices will have to be made by the first people to have any new technology until enuoghn people are using it to get big money interested to where they think they can make a profit to invest in

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car
written by valves manufacturer, October 21, 2009

If I want to buy car, I will buy Renault, very good.

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ball
written by fittings, October 21, 2009

These car are all very well, which one is mine is my dream.

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Civil partnership
written by Blue Weaver, November 13, 2009

We have a long way to go folks: can we disagree in a way that is civil and empowering? Rather than mean and condemning? It will make this journey a lot more fun...Everybody here is committed to making a better world, we are all on the same team, and it is part of our strength that we have different points of view. When we attack each other, we undercut that strength. Not a good way to win the game. Thanks for playing, I encourage you all to play full out!

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Mandarin Chinese Online
written by Mandarin Chinese Online, November 17, 2009

no petrol in the future

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