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Renault produces Kangoo Van Z.E. on the same production line as the internal combustion-engined model at its M.C.A. (Maubeuge Construction Automobile) factory in northern France. It benefits from the same know-how, supplier base and logistics network as the current Kangoo. The Maubeuge factory has specialised in manufacturing commercial vehicles for the past 20 years, and is constantly adapting to the varied demands of this kind of vehicle (short- and long-wheelbase versions, panel vans or glazed, etc.), as well as to market demand. This decision ensures the vehicle can be put into production rapidly while ensuring a very high standard of quality.

 “The first Renault electric vehicles will soon be delivered to their customers... This will be the realisation of an ambitious strategy which seeks to make Renault the leader in zero-emission mobility. Our dealership staff is fully trained and ready to sell and service electric vehicles, with a wide-ranging offer that will include the vehicle, battery rental, battery charging and a package of other services. This is an important moment for Renault, for the Alliance and for our customers who are eagerly awaiting delivery of the first Fluence Z.E.s and Kangoo Van Z.E.s”

Thierry Koskas – Director, Electric Vehicle Programme

1. GETTING TO KNOW KANGOO VAN Z.E.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is the market's first affordable, all-electric van which doesn't produce any CO₂ tailpipe emissions in use. It has its own visual signature, but above all it's a Kangoo, and it's just as user-friendly as the internal combustion-engined version…

The 'Z.E.' visual signature

Kangoo Van Z.E. features the same overall design as the internal combustion-engined version.  It's distinctive '100% electric' identity is visually demonstrated by the lack of exhaust pipe and a chrome 'Z.E.' badge at the rear. The charging flap is located at the front of the vehicle, near the 'Z.E.' monogrammed front right light. A logo representing an electronic circuit is visible on the bumper, on the right rear door of the cargo area, and on the driver and passenger doors.

Electric – but above all, a true van

Thanks to the central location of the battery, below the floor, Kangoo Van Z.E. features the same dimensions and carrying capacity as the internal combustion-engined model. With an overall length of 4.21m, the load volume ranges from 3m³ to 3.5m³, while payload is 650kg. The flat floor permits a maximum load length of 2.5m (with passenger seat folded flat) which is identical to that boasted by the internal combustion-engined version. The width between the wheel arches is 1.21m, which enables a euro pallet to be loaded. The asymmetric rear doors, plus the sliding side door, enable easy access to the load area.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is a versatile vehicle and is available in two- and five-seat 'Maxi' form. The wheelbase of Maxi versions has been extended by 40cm for an overall length of 4.6m.

The two-seat version is designed for goods transport, and the front seats are separated from the cargo carrying area by an optional bulkhead. It is in this configuration that Kangoo Van Z.E. offers its optimal load capacity:

• A carrying capacity of up to 4.6m³, an additional 1.1m³compared to Kangoo Van Z.E.
• A maximum load length of 2.9m.

In its five-seat configuration, Kangoo Maxi Z.E. features a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat. It can carry up to five people and includes a load carrying capacity of 2.4m³. Seating in this versatile vehicle can be arranged in up to four different ways according to the number of people being carried. The bench seat can also be folded into the floor to provide an all-flat surface and free up extra space for a carrying capacity of 3.6m³.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is available in a choice of nine standard body colours, although customers are able specify their own company colours.

Kangoo stays one innovative step ahead

Thanks to its range of light commercial vehicles, Renault has topped the European LCV market for the past 13 years, with a market share that reached a record 15.9 percent in 2010.

More than 2.6 million Kangoo have been sold since the model's launch in 1997, including 1.3 million van versions, making a major contribution to this success story. That couldn't have been done without a strong taste for innovation, constantly focused on simplifying the everyday lives of customers. As the first so-called 'monospace' vehicle, Kangoo was first and foremost a conceptual innovation before a raft of practical innovations were introduced, including sliding doors, roof bars and the rear opening roof flap.

It is therefore completely natural for Kangoo to lead the way with the first all-electric, manufacturer-produced version. This addition to the range should enable Renault to consolidate its position as Europe's best-selling LCV brand.

An 'electrified' dashboard

The dashboard has been entirely rethought to make range optimisation easy and efficient.

There are two additional dials, one either side of the speedometer:

• A gauge which indicates the battery's level of charge.
• An econometer which tells the driver how energy is being used: light blue indicates the vehicle is running 'normally', dark blue is optimum while red indicates that energy is being used excessively in a way that will impact the range.

The on-board computer has been tailored to meet the needs of driving an electric vehicle. It indicates the remaining range in kilometres, the battery's remaining capacity in kWh and the average and instantaneous energy consumption.  Finally, the speedometer features a 'Z.E.' colour scheme, with the figures highlighted on a turquoise blue semi-circular background.

The high quality expected of a Renault van

Kangoo Van Z.E. meets the same safety and quality standards as the internal combustion-engined version.  The van is manufactured at the MCA plant in Maubeuge (France), on the same production lines as Kangoo. The same conversions as the internal combustion-engined version can be carried out to meet the needs of business and fleet customers, and the battery is fitted on the assembly line.

2. GO FOR A DRIVE IN KANGOO VAN Z.E.

As you press the throttle pedal, the vehicle begins to move in total silence. Safe in the knowledge that the vehicle emits no CO₂, soot or particulates, driving Kangoo Van Z.E. means discovering a whole new world of driving enjoyment. The 44kW electric motor (equivalent to 60hp) instantly delivers its maximum torque of 226Nm. Acceleration from a standing start and through the mid-range is crisp, and the reducer which replaces the gearbox enables perfectly linear, seamless driving.

In addition to the silence of the motor and the lack of gear changes contributes to a calmer, more relaxed driving experience. Business customers who spend a significant amount of time in their vehicle will no doubt be the first to appreciate the advantages.

Meanwhile, the vehicle's dynamics (body roll control, steering etc.) are identical to those of an internal combustion-engined Kangoo.

A range in line with everyday needs

The electric motor is powered by a 22kWh lithium-ion battery which provides an NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) combined cycle range of 170km (106 miles).

This range meets the majority of business customers' everyday driving needs. Indeed, Renault's research indicates that 70 percent of van drivers cover a daily distance of less than 62 miles.

In real-world conditions, the operational range of electric vehicles varies more than that of an internal combustion-engined vehicle and depends on factors like speed, the lie of the land, use of the climate control system or heater, the outside temperature, driving style (sporty, normal or 'eco-driving'), etc.

Unlike internal combustion-engined vehicles, electric vehicles are at their most energy-efficient in built-up areas in heavy traffic, when a range of 125 miles can be achieved. When the vehicle is at a standstill (red lights, heavy traffic, etc.), the electric motor doesn't use any energy, while the system that recovers energy under deceleration, works more frequently during city motoring because of repeated braking and stoping.

In contrast, severe weather conditions coupled with sporty driving, hilly routes and no use of the pre-heating system, can reduce the vehicle's range to around 50 miles.

Even more than with an internal combustion-engined vehicle, drivers too can play an active part in extending the range of their electric vehicle. For example, by following a few, simple, eco-driving guidelines range can be extended by 18%. Renault has developed a number of intelligent systems aimed at optimising range:

• Batterycharging under deceleration: when the driver's foot lifts from the throttle pedal, the vehicle's kinetic energy is recovered by the motor, which converts it into electric current which charges the battery. This system induces more pronounced engine braking, which triggers the brake lights. After a short while, the driver will realise that he or she hardly needs to use the brakes.
• An Eco Mode function is fitted to Kangoo Van Z.E. as standard. Activating this button restricts the motor's performance (torque and speed) and enables gains in range of up to 10%.  The Eco mode can be overridden by fully depressing the accelerator pedal.
• The vehicle is equipped with a pre-start system. When the vehicle is plugged in, it is possible to programme the pre-heating or pre-cooling of the vehicle cabin. This function offers comfortable temperatures as soon as the driver gets into the vehicle and the system has no impact on range.
• An additional 5kW heater is available as an option to heat the cabin while preserving battery life. This heater uses B30 or diesel fuel and requires the 13-litre fuel tank to be filled. The filler cap is located in the same place as it is on the internal combustion-engined vehicle. This option has been included especially for markets which experience extreme cold conditions.

Active and passive safety features carried over from Kangoo

Kangoo Van Z.E. features the same active and passive safety features as the internal combustion-engined model. It is fitted latest-generation ABS and emergency brake assist.

As in the internal combustion-engined van version, the driving position has been designed to offer effective protection to all occupants. You will find a driver's side airbag, seat belt pre-tensioners with load limiters, and an anti-submarining contour in the seat base (apart from the folding passenger seat). It can also be fitted with an optional passenger airbag and driver's lateral airbag.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is also equipped with a number of driving aids, most of which come from the world of passenger cars. The list includes an optional cruise control, speed limiter, automatic headlight and windscreen wiper activation and rear parking sensors.

An audible system to warn pedestrians, cyclists and scooter/motorbike riders of the vehicle's presence when it is travelling at slow speed will be available as an option.

3. ELECTRIC MOBILITY FOR ALL

Kangoo Van Z.E. is the market's first affordable all-electric van priced from £16,990 excluding VAT.  The long wheelbase Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. is £17,990 excluding VAT with the five-seat crew van version at £18,690 excluding VAT.

Renault has separated vehicle and battery ownership. Customers will purchase or lease their van and take out a subscription for the battery depending on their annual mileage. Monthly prices start from £60 (excluding VAT, for contracts of 36 months or longer and 6,000 miles per annum). For the duration of the contract, this price includes:

• the supply of a battery that is always in good operating condition,
• the guarantee of a charging capacity that is always more than 75 percent of its original capacity,
• Comprehensive breakdown cover, including cases of flat batteries

Prices shown are the monthly hire charge, excluding VAT

Renault rewards customers who reserved their Kangoo Van Z.E. via www.renault-ze.com with a preferential hire rate reduction of £3 per month compared to the rates shown in the table above, including roadside assistance.

This innovative procedure for purchasing the vehicle is both simple and reassuring:

• No requirement for a battery hire contract with a third party. It is a Renault offer through its subsidiary RCI Financial Services.
• The contract guarantees the battery will work well and have a good level of charge.
• The customer doesn't have to bear the potential financial risk associated with a malfunctioning battery.
• Should the vehicle be sold on, hiring the battery is a clear advantage, since it doesn't have any impact on overall residual value.

An electric vehicle is economical

The electric motor offers an extremely high energy-efficiency of 90 percent, which is significantly more than that of an internal combustion-engine (25 percent in the case of a petrol engine). This means that when 10kWh of energy is consumed, 9kWh are transmitted to the road in the case of an electric vehicle (compared to 2.5kWh in the case of an internal combustion-engined vehicle).

Meanwhile, energy efficiency is further enhanced by low rolling resistance tyres.

Running costs under control

Energy costs vary significantly from market to market but are always more favourable for electricity than fossil fuels.

The cost of electricity per mile is between five and ten times lower than petrol. The further you go, the bigger the economic advantage of the electric vehicle.

The maintenance costs of an electric vehicle are 20 percent lower than those of an internal combustion-engined vehicle. For example, there is no timing belt, air filter or fuel filer that needs to be replaced, and no oil changes are required.

4. AN ALL-IN-ONE SALES OFFER

The Renault sales executive will join the customer in every step of the way towards electric mobility thanks to a simple, comprehensive package which includes the vehicle, the battery, battery charging, insurance, financing and a range of services. This is the all-in-one offer of the Z.E. Box.

Where can you buy and service Kangoo Van Z.E.?

Renault UK has appointed a network of 20 Z.E. Expert Dealers who have invested in specialist tooling, training for both sales and workshop staff and showroom display.  This includes accreditation to a European standard for electrical safety from both the IMI and Lloyds Register. In addition these Z.E. Dealers will have a demonstrator for each model in the Z.E. range.

The whole Renault network will have a role to play in handling initial enquires and being able to carry out non-specialist maintenance operations.

In the Z.E. Dealership, customers will receive a comprehensive explanation of the electric vehicle technology. During handover of the vehicle, the technician starts the Z.E. services. In order to help you familiarise the driver with their new car, tutorials are available on the internet. Finally, a Customer Relations Freephone Hotline has been established for any questions you they have and, from November 2011, owners will also be able to chat to Customer Relations direct from the Renault UK Z.E website. 

As Kangoo Van Z.E. will be the first product launched in the UK, the backbone of the Z.E. Dealer network will be Renault Pro+ centres, which are tailored to meet the needs of business customers. These centres will include a dedicated work shop to repair electric vehicles. More than 250 Pro+ centres will be operational across Europe by the end of 2011, of which 23 are in the UK.

Is a Z.E. vehicle the right choice?

The aim is to understand if the customer’s daily journeys can be made with an electric vehicle and if their premises can be equipped with battery charging points. If the conditions are not met, the salesman will steer the customer towards an internal combustion-engined vehicle. Customer satisfaction is one of Renault's foremost priorities.

Going electric is easy with the 'Z.E. Box'

The Z.E. Box aims to make the customer's transition to electric mobility as simple as possible by splitting the offer into four distinct parts: Z.E. car, Z.E. battery, Z.E. battery charging and Z.E. services.

Z.E. Car : Personalise your Kangoo Van Z.E.

Kangoo Van Z.E. drives through automatic transmission (a reducer) and comes with a pre-cooling system as standard. These high-end features are rare in the small van market.

Finally, the same list of options and accessories as the internal combustion-engined version will be available to enable customers to tailor the specification of their Kangoo Van Z.E. to meet their needs.

Z.E. Battery: choose your formula

The Renault sales executive will offer the most suitable hire option as a function of the distance travelled every year and the duration of the subscription to which the customer wishes to commit.

Z.E. battery charging: let Renault to guide you

Renault plays an intermediary role by putting the customer in contact with an approved partner to install the battery charging solution in compliance with the relevant standards. The chosen partner for the UK is British Gas who will carry out a survey of the premises before supplying  and fitting a Chargemaster wall-mounted charging point (the Wall-Box) for £799 (including VAT) for a typical domestic installation with the additional peace of mind of a 3 year HEC (Home Electrical Cover) policy.

For home use, the Wall-Box includes:

• Optimised battery charging in between six and eight hours with a charging power of 3kW, or more if your domestic wiring permits,
• Control costs thanks to the ability to schedule battery charging at off-peak rates,

Or simply plug the vehicle into one of the growing number of workplace and public charging points using the cable supplied with your vehicle.

For those business customerswho wish to equip their car parks with battery charging facilities, Renault's partners can provide a wide range of solutions and services. The customer can opt for a single charging point or for a number of points clustered together. The idea is to locate all the charging points together in order to simplify their installation and minimise costs.

Energy optimisation services allow vehicle charging to be optimised while keeping energy bills to a minimum.

Z.E. Services: specific servicing programmes for electric vehicles

The standard manufacturer's warranty includes:

• Vehicle warranty: three years/100,000 miles
• Electric drive train: up to five years/100,000 miles.

In addition to the standard manufacturers' warranty, Renault offers:

• A 'programmed maintenance' service which allows customers to choose the best formula (years/mileage) to suit their usage, in line with the duration of their battery lease contract,
• A five-year warranty extension (not including electric drive train).

 5. HOW DOES IT WORK IN EVERYDAY USE?

Charging Kangoo Van Z.E. on a day-to-day basis

The standard daily battery charge takes between six and eight hours using a Wall-Box. This solution allows the customer to charge the vehicle in a secure, user-friendly way when it is parked, during the night or during the working day.

You're a long way from home and want to charge your battery

In order to charge a battery away from the usual charging point (e.g. while on holiday, or when staying with friends), Renault can provide a battery charging cable as an option or accessory for occasional use. This cable can be used with a normal 240V domestic supply, with power at 2kW. While dining with friends, for example, the vehicle can be charged for a range of up to 25 miles (calculation based on an NEDC range of 106 miles and a dinner lasting three hours).

Standard charging points enabling the battery to be charged sufficiently for around 12 miles in one hour will be available at the majority of places where vehicles normally park, i.e. by the road side, in public parking places, at company premises, shopping malls, etc. You will no longer need to go out of your way to 'fill up' with energy.

The equivalent of 240 new charging points will be brought into service across Europe every day over 2011 and 2012. Infrastructure development plans, assisted by specific public financing, exist in all the major electric vehicle markets. It is estimated that some 50,000 charging points will be operational across Western Europe by 2012.

How do you make journeys longer than the vehicle's range?

For longer journeys, Renault can provide short-term rental of an internal combustion-engined vehicle at preferential rates.  To ensure significant territorial coverage, this service will be available through Renault Rent, Avis and Europcar agencies. It will also be possible to make bookings on-line via My renault, which can be accessed through Renault.co.uk. Hire costs are payable as and when the service is used, at the agency or via the internet.

What happens if you run out of energy?

The battery hire contract includes a comprehensive 24/7 cover. This programme covers breakdowns related to the vehicle, its motor or its battery and is valid throughout the duration of the battery leasing contract.

• Should you run out of energy, the vehicle will be towed to the charging point of your choice within a distance of 50 miles.
• Should a technical problem prevent the vehicle's use, it will be towed to a Z.E. Renault Expert Dealer. An alternative mobility solution is then offered to the customer to enable them to reach their destination (replacement vehicle, taxi, accommodation, etc.).

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