Renault Fluence ZE all-electric, zero-emission car unveiled at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show

Renault has unveiled the Renault Fluence ZE electric car at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Photo: Renault Fluence ZE electric vehicle concept

The zero-emission sedan has been developed by Renault in collaboration with Better Place. The Renault Fluence ZE will go on sale in Israel in the first half of 2011.

The Renault Fluence ZE is a 4,820 mm-long five-seater with a wide track of 1,672 mm, and a carrying capacity of 327dm3.

The Renault Fluence ZE, that has a range of 160km, can be recharged, using three options.

The first is standard charge option where the car can be charged using a standard 230 Volt outlet, in four to eight hours.

The second charge option is the Renault Fluence ZE’s Quickdrop feature or switchable battery technology. With Quickdrop, car can switch their batteries in less time than it takes to top off a petrol-driven internal combustion engine car, the company has said.

Photo: Renault Fluence ZE side view photo

The switchable battery technology has been developed by Renault in partnership with Better Place.

The third recharge mechanism is the Quick Charge option using which batteries of the Renault Fluence ZE electric vehicle can be recharged at specific battery charging points.

With Quick Charge batteries can be recharged to 80% state of charge in just 20 minutes, the company has said.

The Renault Fluence ZE cars will be available in the Israeli market through Better Place outlets in June 2011, and in Denmark via Renault dealerships.

In the Denmark markets, customers will benefit from Better Place subscriptions that will offer access to the company’s well-established electric vehicle network of charge spots and battery switch stations.

Customers in Israel will be offered a four-year – 120,000 km – warranty.

Renault and Better Place have said that at least 100,000 vehicles will be avaialable for sale in Israel and Denmark, by 2016.

Renault has also revealed three other EV concept cars at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Renault Twizy ZE, Renault Zoe ZE, and the Renault Kangoo ZE.