RENAULT CELEBRATES THE 10,000TH KANGOO Z.E. REGISTRATION

The Renault network has celebrated the 10,000th registration of a Kangoo Van Z.E., the European segment-leading small electric van. The vehicle’s keys were handed over to Deutsche Bahn’s Gerhard Dech at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Béatrice Foucher, Manager of Renault’s Electric Vehicle programme, Uwe Hochgeshurtz, Corporate Sales Manager, and Achim Schaible, Director of Renault Germany, officially handed the keys to the 10,000th Kangoo Van Z.E. to Deutsche Bahn’s Purchasing and Technical Director Gerhard Dech at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle will be used by German Railways’ maintenance division.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is Europe’s best-selling small electric van and accounts for almost 10% of Kangoo van sales. It is also the best-selling electric vehicle in France where it has won over some 6,000 business customers.

Since its launch at the end of 2011, Kangoo Van Z.E. has been acclaimed repeatedly by the media and secured International Van of The Year award in 2012.

The zero-emission LCV was restyled in June with a new front end and the incorporation of new features like the connected R-Link multimedia tablet.

Kangoo Van Z.E. is manufactured exclusively at the MCA plant in Maubeuge, France, and is marketed in 20 European countries.

RENAULT BOLLORÉ PARTNERSHIP IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

The Renault and Bolloré groups have signed a letter of intent to study the joint development of car-sharing solutions and the implementation of industrial and commercial cooperation agreements in the field of electric vehicles.

1 – Joint marketing of complete car-sharing solutions concerning the use of electric vehicles in the city.

Following the success of Autolib’ in 55 municipalities in and around the Paris region, and the contracts already won by the Bolloré Group in Lyon, Bordeaux and Indianapolis, the Renault and Bolloré groups will look at the possible founding of a joint venture to win and implement new projects in order to meet growing demand in France and on international markets for electric car-sharing services. In the first instance, Renault could join forces with the Bolloré Group by taking a stake in Bluely (Lyon) and Bluecub (Bordeaux).

2 – Bluecar production in France

The expected increase in the number of Bluecars – the existing 4-seater model – and the convertible model to be launched next June will lead to a rise in production. The two groups will look at the possible transfer of some production processes to the Renault group’s Dieppe plant, alongside the supply of parts and components by Renault.

3 – Development and production of a three-seater vehicle using a 20 kWh Bolloré battery

Autolib’, the world’s biggest electric-car sharing service to date, is now entering its third year in operation, and data show that three-quarters of rentals concern a maximum of three passengers. As a result, the two groups will look at the possible support that Renault could provide the Bolloré group for the development and production of a three-seater electric vehicle (3.1m long) with a range of over 120 miles.