Battery-powered Renault charges in

Oct 2 2008 Steve Hughes

Battery-powered Renault charges in

RENAULT has revealed its vision of the sort of electric vehicles that it will be mass-producing for selected countries within three years.

Based on the Kangoo be bop, the Zero Emissions model takes the name of Kangoo Z.E. and is powered by lithium-ion batteries.

With a length of 3.95m and a height of 1.85m the accent is firmly upon urban practicality.

The use of heat-reflective paint and insulating bodywork contributes to the reduction of temperature fluctuations, which does away with the need for traditional climate control.

Insulation is further optimised by the use of acid green-tinted glass for the glazed areas.

This means that the bodywork is insulated like a Thermos flask and has two insulating panels with a sandwich of air.

This air, which remains the most effective insulator known today, limits variations in temperature between the exterior and interior of the car while solar panels on the roof power a temperature regulation system.

A heated steering wheel tricks the driver into believing that the vehicle is warmer than it actually is, thereby allowing heating systems to remain switched off.

Exterior mirrors have been replaced by low-energy cameras which are powered by the roof-mounted solar panels. The low-drag full-disc aluminium alloy wheels also improve aerodynamic performance.

The headlamps use efficient, high-performance light-emitting diodes which are low consumers of energy and there are polyurethane gel bumpers that deform easily to soak up minor knocks.

To facilitate getting around in areas where space is at a premium, an electric scooter is packed into the boot and is charged via the car's own system. To make loading easier, the rear hatch-type tailgate combines with a wide, folding sill which enables the scooter to be slid into the boot.

A mobile phone-based navigation system is used that avoids the necessity for an energy-consuming onboard computer and the vehicle is said to be fully recyclable with very few fluids.

Renault is displaying the Z.E. vehicle at the Paris Motor Show and says it will form the basis of an all-electric model within three years.