First vehicle-to-grid projects live in the Netherlands and Portugal.
Renault has launched the first large-scale bi-directional charging pilot projects in Europe, starting in Utrecht, the Netherlands and on the Portuguese island of Porto Santo. Similar projects will follow in five more European countries with the aim to develop services and gather learnings for future harmonisation.
In concrete terms, Renault intends to introduce a fleet of 15 Renault Zoe vehicles with vehicle-to-grid functionality in Europe during the course of the year, in order to develop new bi-directional charging offers together with partners and lay the foundations for future standards. The aim is to get to the bottom of feasibility and potential benefits, according to a press release by the French. It is interesting to note that Renault is using alternating current technology, which is apparently based on the type 2 connector.
More than a year ago, the carmaker announced that, together with the energy supplier Empresa de Electricidade da Madeira, it wanted to turn the Atlantic island of Porto Santo into an “electric island” including electric cars, second-life batteries and V2G in combination with “smart” charging. While this trial is going ahead, not as much is known about the second project in the Dutch town of Utrecht. Renault only mentions that it is a pilot project in an ecosystem developed by We Drive Solar.
Scottish Water chooses the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 for its first-ever electric vehicles
Water Provider’s sampling division to use a specially-converted version across the Highlands
Initial order designed to allow Scottish Water to determine how it can electrify its entire fleet
Zero-emissions-in-use Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 will assist Scottish Water’s drive to lower its carbon footprint
Kangoo Z.E. 33 was chosen for its environmental compatibility, ease-of-use and versatile load area
Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 is priced from £18,392, excluding VAT, after the Plug-in Van Grant
A pure-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 refrigerator conversion is enabling Scotland’s water provider to continue its drive to make the country’s air and water the cleanest it can be.
Scottish Water, which provides drinking water to nearly 2.5 million households across the country, is using the zero-emissions-in-use, refrigerated Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 to assist with the water sampling undertaken by its Scientific Services team across the Highlands.
Scottish Water Renault Kangoo electric van (Image: Renault)
The introduction of the award-winning light commercial – the first electric vehicle utilised by Scottish Water – will also help the water supplier to determine how it can rollout EVs across its fleet and make a significant contribution to its support of the Scottish Government’s carbon target to reduce carbon emissions by 90 per cent by 2050.
As part of the conversion by Bott Ltd, and which also contributes to the van having minimal impact in terms of noise and pollution on the beautiful landscape of the Highlands, the strikingly-liveried Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 features roof-mounted 150-watt solar panels to power its onboard refrigeration equipment. The panels charge a 200 amp lithium battery, which in turn powers the 140-litre temperature-controlled refrigerator that is required to keep water samples in optimum condition during transportation.
With a ‘real-world’ range of up to 124 summer miles (75-99 miles in winter) on a single charge, the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 is able to comfortably accommodate the routes throughout the Highlands that are regularly completed by Scottish Water’s water samplers. Scottish Water plans to charge the van via 26 charging points that are available at its numerous locations, which include The Bridge, Castle House, Fairmilehead, Juniper House, Gowans Terrace, Henderson Drive, Bullion House and Shieldhall.
Complementing the bespoke conversion is an additional Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 Panel Van, which will be used by Scottish Water’s maintenance team. Offering a near identical payload to its diesel counterpart, the Kangoo Z.E. 33 Panel Van offers Scottish Water a viable, all-electric alternative to the conventionally-powered compact vans that feature on its fleet.
Scottish Water chose sampling and general cargo vans for its EV trial as these types of vehicle represent the highest proportion of its small van fleet. Sampling vans represent approximately 12 per cent of the total Scottish Water fleet, with general cargo vans accounting for circa 20 per cent.
Working in collaboration with Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicles on the trial, which has included the manufacturer delivering EV training to Scottish Water employees, Scottish Water opted for the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 due to its usable range, versatility and ease of operation.
Ordering is now open for the New Renault Master Z.E., the all-electric version of the largest Renault Pro+ LCV priced from £45,700 excluding VAT (after the Government PiVG)
Ideal for emissions-free access to city-centres and benefiting from a payload of up to 1,128kg, New Master Z.E is perfect for last-mile deliveries.
Utilising the manufacturer’s electric vehicle expertise – the Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33 and the Renault ZOE being the best-selling electric van and electric car in Europe in 2017 – Master Z.E. combines the new-generation 33 kWh battery and a highly efficient motor to provide a real-world driving range of 74 miles with half payload and a charging time of empty to fully-charged in only six hours.
Renault Master ZE Electric Van (Image: Renault)
Master Z.E. is available in a choice of three wheelbase configurations – SWB, MWB and LWB – with a choice of two roof heights, LR & MR. All are based on the well-equipped Business specification that is available across the award-winning Renault Master range. Focused on providing drivers with high levels of comfort, convenience, connectivity and safety, standard features of the Business trim level include electric front windows and mirrors, DAB radio, Bluetooth, CD player, USB, full steel bulkhead, ESC, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Swing Assist.
Specific equipment that is unique to the New Master Z.E. includes a side Z.E. charging socket, pre-heating function, and Z.E. voice – a specific sound that the vehicle makes at low speeds in order to be more noticeable to pedestrians.
Exclusive New Master Z.E. options include a charging cable suitable for a domestic three-pin plug and a three-year renewal subscription to My Z.E Connect, which when combined with the R-Link media system, lets you view the vehicle’s range on a smartphone or computer connected to the internet.
Renault electric vehicles will continue to play a major role in the day-to-day running of the Eden Project and its drive to educate its millions of visitors on the environmental benefits of EVs after the world-famous attraction took delivery of a new fleet of 100 per cent electric ZOE and Kangoo Z.E models
Comprising of three Renault ZOE hatchbacks and 14 Renault Kangoo Z.E. in Van and Maxi Crew Van Cab specifications, the vehicles replace the Eden Project’s previous Renault EV fleet. The latest vehicles complement Eden’s existing Renault Twizys. The quadricycles’ compact dimensions make them ideal for use across the entire Eden site – even in the narrow pathways through the tranquil, climate-controlled Biomes.
Renault ZOE and Kangoo ZE (Image: Renault)
The usability and high visibility of its previous Renault EVs has allowed the Eden Project to lead by example when it comes to raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles in reducing carbon emissions. Compared to equivalent diesel and petrol vehicles, its original Renault EV fleet saved nearly 17 tonnes of CO2 since its inception in 2016, clocking up nearly 94,000 miles in and around its award-winning facility.
The mix of ZOE and Kangoo Z.E. will fulfil a variety of roles across the Eden Project, being used by its maintenance, horticulture, security, live programming and catering teams. A number of the vehicles will also be assigned to help with the provision of onsite medical support and transporting less able-bodied visitors around the site.
With zero tailpipe emissions and being near silent in use, the Renault EVs have little impact on the tranquillity and striking landscape of the Eden Project. Notably, during the last two years the lack of noise has allowed the busy Eden Live Team to work round the clock without affecting the visitor experience, while the fleet has also chauffeured presenters and celebrities to help facilitate the wide variety of filming that the renowned Cornish venue hosts every year.
Groupe Renault, Morbihan Energie, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis have joined forces to create FlexMob’île, an innovative programme aimed at accompanying the energy transition on the French island of Belle-Île-en-Mer.
This smart electric ecosystem is founded on three core activities, namely the sharing of electric vehicles, the stationary storage of solar energy and smart charging.
FlexMob’île sees Groupe Renault continue to develop the principle of smart islands, the first of which was Portugal’s Porto Santo.
Belle-Île-en-Mer (France), September 21, 2018 – In association with its partners the Belle-Île-en-Mer Community of Communes, Morbihan Energies, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis, Groupe Renault – a major player in the world of electric ecosystems – is delighted to unveil a brand new joint project known as FlexMob’île. The aim of this smart electric ecosystem is to facilitate the energy transition on the French island of Belle-Île-en-Mer which lies off the coast of southern Brittany. This initiative follows in the footsteps of the innovative Smart Fossil Free Island programme which has been operational since last February on the Portuguese island of Porto Santo in the Madeira archipelago.
Groupe Renault unveils France’s first Smart Island on Belle-Île-En-Mer (Image: Renault)
For the next 24 months, Groupe Renault and its public and private partners will be developing a smart electric ecosystem that has been conceived to reduce the island’s carbon footprint and increase its energy independence.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Belle-Île-en-Mer Community of Communes, Morbihan Energie, Les Cars Bleus and Enedis on this project which is unprecedented in France. Our goal is the same as with Porto Santo. That is to say the implementation of global solutions that meet local needs using both tried-and-tested and more recent technologies. It will be possible to carry over the Belle-Île-en-Mer system not just to other islands but also to cities and suburban areas,” says Gilles Normand, SVP, Group Electric Vehicle Division.
The Felix Project takes delivery of seven all-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. panel vans
Donation of vehicles strengthens the partnership between Renault UK and the London-based food charity
New Renaults will allow the Felix Project to grow its collection and distribution operation significantly
The Felix Project’s central London operation fleet will now be 100 per cent electric
Zero tailpipe emissions, ease-of-use and size make the Kangoo Z.E ideal for the charity’s London routes
Renault Kangoo Z.E. is priced from £14,799, excluding VAT, after the Plug-in Van Grant
Renault UK is growing its support of the London-based Felix Project with the donation of a further seven all-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. panel vans. This will allow the charity to expand its operation to provide the capital’s most disadvantaged inhabitants with fresh food.
The development strengthens the partnership between the manufacturer and The Felix Project, which was established in November 2017 with the initial donation of a single Kangoo Z.E.
One of Felix Project’s Kangoo ZE electric vans (Imaged: Renault)
The additional vans will grow the charity’s fleet by more than 50%, enabling it to significantly increase the 20 tonnes of food they currently deliver each week. This is food which is fresh yet cannot be sold for a number of reasons, that they collect from supermarkets, wholesalers and other suppliers, and distribute free of charge to around 200 charities and schools throughout London. In turn, these organisations then provide meals, snacks or food parcels to those in need, including elderly or homeless people, struggling families, those with mental health issues, refugees and asylum seekers.
All of the vans will initially be based at the Felix Project’s central London operation. Vehicles that are already in-use in the depot will be allocated to the charity’s other sites with the result that the central operation’s distribution and collection service will be 100 per cent electric.
The constant stop/start for collections and drops, average journey lengths and the demanding nature of driving in the capital mean that the Kangoo Z.E. is the perfect vehicle for the Felix Project. Immensely easy to drive with users not having to worry about gear changes and enjoying instant response from the advanced drivetrain, the van is ideal for negotiating the city’s traffic, while also returning a significant saving on fuel costs and being exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
The ease-of-use is especially important to The Felix Project as the latest vans will not be assigned to one driver, but used by a variety of volunteers on evening runs into the capital. The Kangoo Z.E.’s payload of 640kg – near identical to that of its diesel counterpart – also makes it exceedingly versatile, the Felix Project’s existing Kangoo Z.E. is able to accommodate 32 crates of food, which is enough to deliver to four primary schools.
The Felix Project was established in early 2016 in memory of Felix Byam Shaw – the son of one of the charity’s founders – who died suddenly from meningitis in 2014. The idea for the charity was born out of Felix’s compassion for fellow youngsters who didn’t have his advantages and, in particular, after he played in a football match and discovered that some of the opposing team of 10-year-old boys from South London hadn’t had anything to eat that day.
Anne Elkins, Development Manager for The Felix Project’s school programme, said
“The new Kangoo Z.E.s will make a big difference to our operation, allowing us to plan more routes and also collect more donations that are made available on an ad hoc basis and which need to be collected in a short time frame. It’s great to have the extra capacity and the support from Renault.
“Our original Kangoo Z.E is a big hit with our drivers due to its manoeuvrability and being so easy to drive. The van really is a great fit for us as it does everything we need and adds another carbon efficient element to our operation’s ethos on protecting the environment by cutting down food waste and ensuring that good, nutritious food isn’t thrown away.”
Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Groupe Renault UK, said:
“We’re exceptionally pleased to extend our support of The Felix Project. The charity is passionate in what it does and it’s a privilege for us to play a part in helping them to grow their operation and ultimately supply food to those in the capital who are in the most need. With its latest Kangoo Z.E. the Felix Project can extend their reach but also invest the majority of their current fuel and congestion charge costs back into other areas of the business.”
The Kangoo Z.E.33 has a real-world range of 124 miles and has a load capacity of up to 4.6m³, coupled with diesel-rivalling payload of up to 640kg. Together with the enhanced 33kWh battery, the Kangoo Van Z.E.33 benefits from an upgraded charger that reduces charging times and is twice as powerful as its previous one. The single-phase 7kW AC charger can take the new 33kWh battery to a full charge in just six hours, with the ability to ‘top-up’ the vehicle by up to 21 miles in just one hour. The Renault Kangoo Van Z.E.33 is available in a range of body styles, including Kangoo Van Z.E.33, Kangoo Maxi Z.E.33, Kangoo Maxi Crew Van Z.E.33 and Kangoo Maxi Crew Van Cab Z.E.33.
The automaker and city officials will also collaborate on future mobility services
Many European countries are considering ending sales of new gasoline and diesel cars, but the city of Paris isn’t waiting around. The French capital has already tested a “day without cars,” and has discussed banning internal-combustion cars by 2030. That makes Paris the perfect place to launch an electric car-sharing service.
The Renault Electric Z.E. Range (Image: Renault)
Renault has teamed up with the city government to give Parisians access to electric cars. The automaker hopes the to continue working with Paris officials on future mobility services. For now, Renault is deploying a fleet of electric cars in Paris that residents will be able to access 24/7.
Cars set aside for longer journeys will be kept in designated parking lots and accessed via special stations. Other cars, designated for shorter journeys, will be accessible without the stations. Available cars will include the Renault Zoe hatchback, the Twizy neighborhood electric vehicle, and the Kangoo ZE and Master ZE vans. Renault hopes to have a fleet of 2,000 vehicles in operation by the end of 2019.
As a next step, Renault and city officials will initiate a “working group,” open to other cities and companies, “whose aim will be to think collectively about the integration of changes in mobility in the city,” a Renault press release said. The automaker hopes to involve the C40 network, a coalition of some 100 cities chaired by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.
In June, Renault set a new all-time record for electric vehicles sales. The month saw sales of 4,498 EVs, which was 56% higher than a year ago, and 350+ units higher than the previous all-time record set in March.
For the Renault brand, EVs (not including the city Twizy) stand at 1.65% share of all sales in June, and 1.4% for the first half of 2017.
Renault electric vehicle sales in June:
Renault ZOE – 4,251 (up 73%)
Renault Kangoo Z.E. – 245 (down 42%)
In the first six months, Renault has sold total nearly 18,900 electric cars (up 34%), including nearly 17,300 ZOE.
Europe:
“Renault maintained its lead in the electric vehicle segment with a market share of 26.8%. Sales volumes increased 34%. Registrations of ZOE, Europe’s top-selling electric vehicle, rose 44%.”
France:
“ZOE remains the clear leader in the electric vehicle market, accounting for almost 70% of electric passenger car sales in France with over 9,200 registrations – a year-on-year increase of over 42%.”
The Kangoo Z.E. doesn’t account for many sales, but the new longer-range version maybe will enable higher sales.
The newly refreshed Renault Kangoo ZE is now on sale in the European market, bringing with it an improved range and a number of other changes.
Reanault Kangoo ZE
The small electric van offering from Renault now features an official New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range rating of 270 kilometers (167 miles). The company acknowledges that a real-world range of between 120 kilometers (74 miles) and 200 kilometers (124 miles) is probably more realistic, though.
That’s probably enough range to make the newly refreshed offering seem pretty attractive to many business operators, offering great potential to cut fuel and maintenance costs to a fair degree.
In addition to the improved range — courtesy of a new 33 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack — the refreshed Renault Kangoo ZE also features an upgraded charging system and a heat pump that improves cold weather battery efficiency/range. The new battery pack was developed in partnership with LG Chem.
Green Car Reports provides more: “The new battery cells are denser but do not add additional weight to the Kangoo ZE, which means safety and payload are unchanged. Total power output from the electric battery and motor — shared with the Renault Zoe — is 45 kilowatts (60 horsepower).
“Additionally, Renault has added a dedicated heat pump to use less battery energy on climate control, which the brand says is a first for the light commercial vehicle segment. … In the coldest climates, the Kangoo ZE also benefits from an optional mini-heater for even more warmth.”
As far as the improved 7-kilowatt charging system, the Kangoo ZE can now be fully charged in 6 hours, rather than 7 hours, despite the much improved range.
Deliveries in Europe are expected to begin this summer.
French automaker Renault has given its small light commercial electric vehicle a handful of upgrades, including a significantly longer battery range.
Renault Kangoo ZE 2017
The Renault Kangoo ZE is now officially on sale with a longer rated range, a more powerful charging system, and a heat pump to keep the little van efficient in the coldest temperatures.
Renault revealed the Kangoo ZE back in 2010 as an electrified option for light commercial vehicle buyers, even before its 2012 Renault Zoe subcompact electric hatchback.
An electrified Master ZE joined the smaller van earlier this year. Just shy of six months later, the Kangoo ZE updates should receive a warm welcome from commercial-vehicle buyers with an eye for efficiency.
Rated range for the updated electric van jumps from 170 kilometers (105 miles) to 270 kilometers (167 miles) on the New European Driving Cycle.
Renault Kangoo ZE 2017
However, Renault acknowledges the NEDC’s shortcomings, noting that a real-world range of 120 km (74 miles) to 200 km (124 miles) may be more likely.
That’s still a jump from its previous non-NEDC estimates of 80 to 125 km (50 to 77 miles).
The longer range is due to a new 33-kilowatt-hour battery, which was developed between Renault and LG Chem.
