Renault Zoe

Denied: a flash of junior EV greatness

TONY O’KANE

Model Engine Max power Max torque Transmission Weight 0-100km/h Economy Price On sale Renault Zoe Life Synchronous electric motor 68kW 220Nm Fixed single-speed 1480kg 12.0sec (estimated) 13.6kWh/100km $44,470 November

FIRST OVERSEAS DRIVE

ALTERNATIVE energy may still be kryptonite to Aussie pollies, but as photovoltaic panels have crept across our rooftops, crept across our rooftops, so too has awareness of the virtues of fully electric motoring.

However, awareness is one thing; access to product is entirely another. While Europe, Japan and the USA’s most progressive state, California, have embraced electric cars of all kinds, our EV segment isn’t even in its infancy yet. It’s still gestating.

But there’s an occasional kick from within the womb. Five years after its European debut, Renault has finally introduced its allelectric Zoe hatch to Australia, giving the French automaker’s local operation its first electrically powered passenger car. But you won’t be able to buy one from your local Renault dealer. Rather than retail the Zoe, Renault Oz is only interested in direct supply to business and government fleets.

Looks like the idea of mainstream EVs is staying in utero for a little while longer.

That’s a tremendous shame because no matter which side you stand on the climate-change debate, there’s no denying the Zoe is one of the best urban conveyances you could aspire to park in your driveway.

In the cut and thrust madness of Parisian traffic, the Zoe is superb. Seamless torque from standstill, nimble handling and compact dimensions serve it well in such an environment. It’s obvious that Renault has crafted the Zoe for urban excellence.

Renault claims it can travel up to 300km in real-world conditions on a single charge. And that’s a believable figure because a half-day of urban and extraurban driving saw the battery range read-out match our actual distance travelled. Yet the Zoe has virtues beyond the mere fact that it’s battery-powered.

True to French small-car heritage, it practically floats over brutal cobblestone streets, yet despite being softly sprung it doesn’t flop into corners. Body control is good, and some highspeed country stretches revealed the Zoe isn’t exactly shabby around a bend either.

Its steering may not be the sharpest around dead-centre, but once you’ve twirled on some lock, its pizza-cutter eco tyres hang on surprisingly well before transitioning into understeer.

Spongy brake-pedal feel spoils the fun though – a typical EV complaint – and this isn’t helped dersteer. eel pical sn’t by weak regenerative braking But the biggest negative is Zoe’s price. Starting at $44,470 for the base Life, it’s mega-expensive for a B-segment hatch. Little wonder Renault Australia doesn’t see regular Joes as the target buyer. braking. ative t ife, or le ralia es

PLUS & MINUS

Perfect as a city runabout; guilt-free ownership; plush ride; quiet Expensive ... if you’re able to buy one; soggy brake-pedal feel

Not current

Zoe might be Europe’s most popular electric car with 76,000 sold across the continent to date, but it’s a five-year-old car now and its interior shows it.

Hard plastics abound in its Clio-esque cabin and the infotainment fit-out is basic, but there are some endearing touches like embroidered circuitry patterns in the upholstery and a chunky leather-wrapped wheel.