Renault's electric revolution

Gentlemen, charge your engines! Renault’s big electric campaign kicks off next year with the sale of not one, but THREE electric vehicles.

The launch-fest is the start of a grand plan to grab the lead in a market it reckons will account for a whopping 10 percent of vehicle sales by 2020.

First away from the chargepoints in the summer of 2011 will be the Fluence ZE, based on a Megane saloon. Built alongside the regular car, this svelte four-seater will quietly hum along for 100 miles until it needs charging again.

Also in the summer of 2011 will arrive an electric version of the Kangoo – just as much load space as the regular urban-concentrated delivery van, but with zero tailpipe emissions.

Then in the autumn comes the one that’ll tempt every damp scooter commuter: a version of the Twizy ZE concept. Ultra-slim and shorter than a Smart, this two-seater weighs a mere 420kg.

Following in 2012 is an electric hatch based on the Zoe ZE concept. Whether you go for this suburban green-machine or any of the others, the Government will reduce the bills. Already there’s zero road tax to pay, and now you’re freed from company car tax as well.

More support also needed for extra chargepoints and also Renault’s innovative  Quickdrop three-minute battery changeover stations. With those in place, we could be seeing a ‘volt-face’ by the car-buying public!