For a long time, Tesla’s premium models were the only electric cars people know of. Nissan’s Leaf and Chevrolet’s Bolt were some notable low end additions which is now further expanded by the Renault Zoe.
A fully overhauled and redesigned version of the cheerful, compact electric car Zoe was launched at the 2016 Paris auto show. While the design is pretty close to the previous edition, some modifications in the chassis has allowed the manufacturer to significantly boost the distance covered by the car. With a more powerful battery, the Renault Zoe can now go up to 250 miles on a single charge which is much higher than what Leaf and Bolt offers.
With a total capacity of 43 kilowatts, even on its lowest level, the Zoe should be able to deliver up to 183 miles on actual road conditions. It is more than enough for the average commuter to go to office and reach home on a daily basis without having to hit the charging point for a week. Renault has closely worked with the LG Chem division to develop the more powerful battery. Nissan partnered with Automotive Energy Supply Corporation to create the battery for its own Leaf.
Chevrolet’s Bolt has already upgraded itself to the latest generation and offers nearly 250 miles on a single charge. Nissan is overdue to launch a renewed version of the leaf and when they do, they should be able to offer direct competition to the new Zoe and the Bolt in terms of mileage. A couple of cool features have been incorporated into the compact and stylish new electric car.
The Renault Zoe is capable of getting charged with the help of an auxiliary power inverter. However, such feature can only be found in public charging stations and may not be supported at home. Renault and Nissan has an ongoing partnership which should allow both companies to share the technology they develop in these years.
When questioned about the same to Nissan, the company’s response is that eventually all the latest technologies will be available in their cars as well. It might take some time but will be introduced as and when required, said a representative. In terms of creating the best electric cars with great mile range, affordable pricing and a family friendly design, the manufacturers have already found the sweet spot and all they have to do is bring them to the stores real soon.