Renault has doubled the usable range of its hugely popular Zoe Electric Vehicle, from 200km to 400km, wiping out “range anxiety” concerns for buyers, and making it an even more attractive proposition for Australia.
Justin Hocevar, managing director of Renault Australia, says the Zoe was already very appealing, but the increase in range to 400km on the NEDC cycle (which equals about 300km in city-driving conditions) meant the company would ramp up its evaluation of the car for local sale, and its lobbying of the government.
Speaking at the Paris Motor Show, where the new Z.E. 40 battery for the Zoe was announced, Renault supremo Carlos Ghosn was rejoicing at his company’s EV success, having sold more than 100,000 Zoes and become the world’s electric leader, taking 50 per cent of all sales.
“In 2008 (when we launched Zoe) there was a lot of scepticism. We said from the start this is driven by the fact that we have too much emissions, and I’m very glad that all the (car companies) who mocked us are the ones now saying ‘we have five EVs coming in the next five years,’” Ghosn said.
For an EV to enter a market there is a basic condition that the government of the country has to be willing.
“People are joining in and saying the EVs are the future and that we cannot compete without EVs.
“Of course, for an EV to enter a market there is a basic condition that the government of the country has to be willing. If the government is hostile, or noncommittal, forget about it.”
That, as Hocevar points out, the problem with putting Zoe on sale in Australia - government intransigence, or apathy - but it’s one he’s trying to get over.
“We do not have the kind of incentives in Australia that many other countries in the world have, and it doesn’t have to be about cash-back schemes, it can be smaller things, easier things that won’t cost much, like providing special parking spaces, or rebates on toll roads, allowing use of bus lanes,” he explained.
As Ghosn points out, the new 300-400km range “lifts the final psychological barrier” to ownership.
“It’s vital to have some incentives in place to kickstart the category, so that people can start to realise they can live with EVs in Australia.”
As Ghosn points out, the new 300-400km range “lifts the final psychological barrier” to ownership, because it means a typical city commuter - doing 40km a day - would only need to charge their car once a week.
The problem, without the kind of incentives offered to EV buyers in places like Norway, where electric cars recently peaked at 17 per cent of the total market, is cost, as Hocevar explained.
“A Zoe here, which would be a high-spec car, is going to be in the high $30,000s to low $40,000s, which would mean a $10,000 premium over similar cars in its segment,” he says.
“That means you’re going to have to do solid kilometres over eight years to see a cost benefit on your investment. That’s why incentives of some sort are vital.”
Renault Australia currently has a Zoe in the country for testing, and is constantly lobbying the Turnbull Government for help, but says politicians’ interest tends to wax and wane. No surprise there.
