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Kangoo
be bop Z.E. is derived from the
production version of Kangoo be
bop and is instantly
recognisable by its ‘Energy
Blue’ body colour, while the
Renault logos on the grille and
wheels are picked out in
satin-finish blue-hued chrome.
Inside, the satin-finish chrome
and metallic acid green trim
ensure a unique ambience,
further expressed by the
specific grey velour upholstery
and embroidered 'printed
circuit' motifs.
Like the Z.E.
Concept concept car which was
unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor
Show, Kangoo be bop Z.E. is
equipped with low-energy LED
(light-emitting diode) front and
rear lighting to optimise energy
use. Meanwhile, the car's
aerodynamics  have
been significantly reworked to
reduce energy consumption.
Kangoo be bop Z.E. sits on
18-inch full disc wheels, and
its ground clearance has been
lowered by 20mm compared with
that of the production Kangoo be
bop.
Linear displays
on the outside of Kangoo be bop
Z.E.'s doors show how much
charge is
left in the battery by simply
activating the remote central
locking control. Inside, a gauge
to the left of the instrument
panel provides the driver with a
permanent indication of how much
battery charge remains.
Kangoo be bop
Z.E. is an all-electric zero
emission vehicle. It is powered
by a 60hp (44kw) electric motor
which revs to 12,000rpm and
boasts greater efficiency (90
per cent) than an internal
combustion engine.
Kangoo
be bop Z.E. is equipped with
compact, innovative lithium-ion
batteries produced by AESC
(Automotive Electric Supply
Corporation), a Nissan-NEC joint
venture which was founded in
April 2007. The performance of
these batteries compared with
former-generation nickel metal
hydride batteries is superior in
every domain, including
performance, reliability, safety
and efficiency. Lithium-ion
batteries do not suffer from the
so-called memory effect which
results from incomplete charge
cycles, ultimately leading to a
fall in capacity. The AESC
battery is expected to deliver
between 80 and 100 per cent of
its original capacity for six
years.
A year and a half
ahead of the launch of Renault's
production electric vehicles,
the 15kWh battery of the Kangoo
be bop Z.E. prototype delivers a
range of approximately 100km. At
launch, Renault electric
vehicles will profit from an
evolution to their battery
technology which will take their
real-world range to 160km.
Last but not
least, lithium-ion batteries are
recyclable and the
Renault-Nissan Alliance is
actively working on establishing
recycling processes and
infrastructures adapted to
automotive batteries.
Renault and
Nissan were among the first
manufacturers to commit to
achieving significant reductions
in carbon dioxide emissions in
recent years. Renault's strategy
which was unveiled in January
2008 specifies the release of
mass market electric vehicles by
2011. |
