Say Hello To The Renault K-ZE EV, The Kwid's Electric Cousin

• It is based on the same CMF-A platform as the standard Kwid.
• Interiors are also identical, with equipment like an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as well as connected car tech.
• Its electric motor is juiced up by a 26.8kWh battery pack delivering 44PS/125Nm, with a 105kmph top speed.
• It offers an NEDC claimed range of upto 270km with fast charging capability.

With the rise of EVs in India, Renault has finally joined the party with the unveil of the all-electric K-ZE in India. It first made its debut at the 2019 Shanghai Motor Show and is currently on sale in China. Here’s how it differentiates itself from its internal combustion engined counterpart.

Since the K-ZE is based on the same CMF-A platform as the standard Kwid, it looks nearly identical with highlights such as slim headlamps and a family grille. It also features the same design and layout as the ICE Kwid with key features such as an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with 4G WiFi and voice recognition. Other bits include Renault’s Easy Link smart connect system, in-built air quality control system and safety features like high-temperature automatic cut-off  to protect the battery pack.

The main difference between the standard Kwid and the K-ZE is what’s under the hood. It is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 44PS and 125Nm, with a top speed of 105kmph. The electric motor is juiced up by a 26.8kWh battery pack, with an NEDC claimed range of 270km. It also supports fast charging capabilities with a 0-80 per cent charge taking just 30 minutes. A normal charger gives a 0-100 per cent charge in 4 hours.

While Renault has finally joined the EV game in India, there is a long wait for us to finally get our hands on it. The carmaker plans to launch the K-ZE by 2022 as it awaits better charging infrastructure in the country. Once launched, it will take on the likes of the upcoming XL5 EV from Maruti Suzuki as well as the Mahindra eKUV100.