Renault revealed a full line-up of electric vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week and its chairman and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, revealed intentions to introduce them as mass market products.

Four electric vehicles concept cars were unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show: Twizy, ZOE, Fluence and Kangoo.

Renault is betting on 10% of total global car sales volume being electric vehicles by 2011.

Ghosn said: “The time is right for zero emissions. All of us that produce and use cars need to be part of the solution and that solution needs to be more than step by step actions. What is at stake is not a 20-30% reduction in emissions, we need cars with no emissions at all.”

Ghosn explained how the new range of electric Renaults unveiled will not produce emissions or noise.

He said: “Protecting the environment should not be the privilege of the few. Our electric vehicles are a breakthrough because they are designed to be mass marketed.

“They will bring a complete line-up that will appeal to a wide range of consumers. This range will bring environmental soundness at a price everyone can afford.”

Twizy - electric city car. Production will start in 2011 and it will have a 100km range.

ZOE – aimed as being the second car of the household. It is targeting the compact car segment for daily commuters and for short trips to the shops. Production version expected by mid 2012 and it will have a 160km range.

Fluence - family car with production starting in the first half of 2011. It will have a 160km range.

Kangoo – aimed at inner city delivery companies. Production will start in the first half of 2011 and it will have a range of 160km.

There will be three options to re-fuel Renault’s zero-emission vehicles: 

  • Standard charge: takes between four and eight hours, via a charging socket situated on the outside of the vehicle.
  • Quick charge: in 20 minutes, using the same socket at specific charging points. 
  • 'Quickdrop' system: three minutes at a rapid battery exchange station.

Each of the cars will also have a satellite navigation system configured to locate the nearest charging method for drivers.