El Salón de Frankfurt de este año abrirá sus puertas a la prensa el día 15 de septiembre, y allí Renault presentará los tres prototipos que pretenden producir. El primero de ellos será un modelo conceptual completamente nuevo del que poco se sabe. Los otros dos se corresponden con las versiones eléctricas del Megane y de la Kangoo.
Sobre el prototipo se especula que será un modelo derivado del Clio, con el que compartiría plataforma y longitud. Dicha plataforma serviría también para que Nissan presente un prototipo en el Salón de Tokyo basado también en este prototipo.
Renault ya está probado en Israel la versión tres volúmenes del Mégane II dentro del proyecto Better Place, por lo que si han de presentar una versión eléctrica, es previsible que tomen como punto de partida el sedán compacto que ya han anticipando con el Samsung SM3 2010.
Los rumores apuntan a que Renault pretende poner a la venta los Megane y Kangoo eléctricos en 2011. Del tercero poco se sabe, aunque es probable que se quede tan sólo en un ejercicio de diseño.
Renault también exhibirá en Frankfurt varios avances técnicos relacionados con el mantenimiento de los vehículos eléctricos. Uno de ellos será una máquina de cambio de baterías capaz de realizar la sustitución del paquete en sólo tres minutos (Quick Drop), pero también habrá puntos de carga domésticos (se supone que con el nuevo conector universal), y una estación de carga rápida, o electrolinera.
Renault presentó hace meses en el Salón de París el Z.E. Concept, un prototipo en el que mostraban sus avances en el mundo de los vehículos eléctricos. El Kangoo be bop Z.E. se basa en el Kangoo y toma la planta motriz del citado prototipo.
Esta furgoneta conceptual equipa un motor eléctrico de 59 CV, con un par máximo de 190 Nm. Las prestaciones son modestas ya que sólo alcanza 130 km/h pero es más que suficiente para repartos urbanos, el terreno ideal de un modelo que se empezaría a producir en 2011 o incluso antes.
El paquete de baterías cuenta con 192 unidades, repartidas en cuatro celdas de 48 cada una. Su carga se puede realizar a 220 V, cuyo tiempo de recarga es de hasta 8 horas, o a 400 V, tensión a la cual se recargan en un 80% en media hora.
La estética difiere de la Kangoo de producción por los detalles que suelen identificar a los prototipos. De esta forma, cuentan con faros completamente con tecnología LED o llantas de 18 pulgadas opacas.
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Renault To Preview Production EV at 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
The charge toward full-electric vehicles is proceeding at a snail’s pace to the public’s eyes, though behind the scenes at many of the world’s major automakers, progress is fast and furious. Renault aims to be one of the leaders of this next wave, and will preview a production electric vehicle at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
It’s still way too early to pin down the specifics, but Renault’s development chief Christian Steyer revealed to Autocar that designers have something distinctive and eye-catching planned. Steyer sums it up simply: "when people see one in the street they will know it is a Renault electric car." Expect it to incorporate a lot of what was done with the Kangoo Be Bop ZE concept (pictured).
The flexibility of an electric drivetrain allows for many different configurations of the overall vehicle’s design, giving designers even more blank canvas. That, in turn, allows the car companies to meet the consumer’s desire to flaunt their environmental awareness.
When finished, the production version is expected to be a compact car – about 13 ft. long overall – but still big enough to fit a five-door hatch form factor.
A practical partner to any EV – and of interest to those following Shai Agassi’s Better Place project – another one of Renault’s planned unveilings includes a battery-switching service dubbed ‘Quick Drop’ that, much like Better Place’s recently previewed system, can swap out a dead battery for a fresh one in just a couple minutes.
There have been some serious concerns about bringing such a concept to full retail profitability, but with two of the pioneers in the EV field bringing out similar products, it may have more traction than critics credit.
Also on display at the Frankfurt show will be a new mystery electric-powered concept previewing production variants of the Renault Megane sedan and the Kangoo, which are scheduled for European debut within the next few years.
The EV, a global strategy of Renault
Renault aims to become the first full-line manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles accessible to the greatest number, by 2011. Electric vehicles emit no CO2 in use. The Renault-Nissan Alliance is developing a complete range of 100% electric powertrains with power ratings of between 50 kW (70 hp) and 100 kW (140 hp).
Renault to launch electric vehicle in 2011
Speaking at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Carlos Ghosn said: “All the pieces of the puzzle are in place for making a mass-production vehicle in the near future: battery range, optimized energy consumption, and performance and driving pleasure”.
For Renault, the electric vehicle is the real long-term solution to today’s environmental and noise pollution issues. Technological innovations now make it possible to mass market an electric vehicle at reasonable cost. In addition, changes in vehicle use make electric cars ideal for the majority of trips, with 80% of Europeans currently driving less than 60 km a day.
Renault will bring its customers a complete range of electric vehicles by as early as 2011:
* an electric version of new Kangoo (light commercial vehicle) for professionals and fleets;
* an electric version of a family car, launched first in Israel and then in other countries;
* in 2012, a full-electric city car measuring less than four meters long and with five seats, ideal for commuting;
* also in 2012, a new type of urban vehicle;
* beyond 2012, Renault will continue to extend its electric vehicle range to cover all segments.
Renault will also bring customers access to innovative services making electric vehicle use easier and to advanced battery technology currently under development by the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
For Renault and its customers, electric vehicles have to be practical, attractive and reassuring:
* Electric vehicles will retail at the same price as equivalent diesel models (without the battery, which is rented);
* Running costs are roughly 20% lower than an equivalent combustion vehicle since electricity costs much less than petrol (around €1 per 100 km);
* Maintenance costs are half those of an equivalent combustion vehicle because electric motors require less servicing;
* Electric motors are the equal of gasoline and diesel cars in terms of performance. Regarding acceleration, for example, an electric motor delivers all of its power as soon as it pulls away;
* Electric vehicles are easily recharged at home, at special terminals in parking lot areas and at “quick drop” rapid exchange stations.
Electric vehicles are in phase with current public issues. They are silent and, because they emit no CO2, NOx or particulate matter, they also respect the environment.
Renault is currently working on a number of fronts in preparation for the launch of its range of zero-emission vehicles:
* In R&D, €200 million is invested every year on electric vehicles as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance;
* Cooperation with governments on infrastructure development and purchase incentives;
* Partnerships are being formed with mobility operators worldwide.
Working with governments and energy players to launch a breakthrough technology
In Israel – one of the first countries to sign a zero-emissions agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance – the government cut the purchase tax for new vehicles from 80% to 10% for all-electric vehicles. Working with Better Place, a California-based venture focusing on developing the infrastructure for EVs, the Israeli government will introduce a network of 500,000 battery charging stations throughout the country in 2011.
In Denmark, the registration tax for passenger cars varies between 105% and 180%, according to the vehicle’s price. EVs will be exempt from the tax when the Alliance begins to offer them in 2011.
In Japan, Kanagawa Prefecture announced an incentive scheme to include subsidies and tax exemptions to promote a full-scale EV project starting in 2010.
In Portugal, a direct EV partnership was started with the Alliance to begin mass-marketing electric vehicles to consumers in 2011.
In Tennessee (USA), headquarters for Nissan’s North American operations, the EV partnership will be supported by the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public power supplier.
In France, EDF will collaborate with the Alliance to create an electric mobility operator in charge of developing and running the battery charging network.
In Northern California (USA), the Alliance is working with the Sonoma County community of governments to develop solutions for zero-emissions mobility through the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of an EV charging network.
In Switzerland, Swiss electric utility company Energie Ouest Suisse (EOS) and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are working together to develop solutions for zero-emission mobility through the promotion of electric vehicles and the establishment of a battery-charging network.
In Oregon (USA), the Alliance is partnering with Portland General Electric to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
In Switzerland, Ewz (the municipal electric utility for the city of Zurich) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to promote electric vehicles.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced that Nissan and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the utility company operating in the San Diego region, are forming a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
In Monaco, the Government of the Principality and the Renault-Nissan Alliance are working together to promote the use of electric vehicles.
In Ireland, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan announced a major move in the electrification Irish motoring. In a hugely significant and new collaboration between Government, between the semi-state electricity supplier ESB and between car manufacturers Renault-Nissan, these electric vehicles will be on Irish roads within 2 years.
In China, the government has launched a pilot program of new energy vehicles to be rolled out to the public transport sector in 13 cities The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced a partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) for Zero-Emission Mobility, a first step in bringing Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) to China.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance announced that Nissan and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), which represents the Phoenix metropolitan region, are forming a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance has formed a partnership with the Energy Market Authority (EMA), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore to explore the development of Zero Emission Vehicles Program.
S. Korea-Consortium for Electric Vehicle Development to Be Formed
A consortium of governmental institutions and manufacturers involved in the auto industry will be launched as part of efforts to develop green electric cars.
The Ministry of Environment and the Environmental Management Corporation, which are in charge of developing electric cars, recently held a preliminary meeting with local automakers, battery manufacturers, and the Korea Electric Power Corporation to form a consultative group responsible for the development of electric cars.
Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, GM Daewoo, Renault Samsung, SK Energy and SK Networks will join the consultative group expected to be launched in July or August of this year. Members of the group will share information regarding ongoing projects for electric car development and infrastructure.
Hyundai Motor will debut its electric cars in 2012 while Renault Samsung also plans to produce compact electric cars by Oct. 2011. LG Chem has announced it will invest a total of W1 trillion in manufacturing batteries for electric cars by 2013.
www.renault.com/en/capeco2/vehicule-electrique/pages/vehicule-electrique.aspx www.nissan-global.com/EN/index.html
