Renault, Please Bring The Zoe EV To India!

• The Zoe is powered by a 52kWh battery, good for a WLTP range of 239km.
• Renault claims a 0-96kmph time of 11.4 seconds for the R110 and 9.5 seconds for the R135.
• Safety equipment includes lane-keeping assist, four airbags, ABS, EBD, and hill start assist.

Renault has unveiled the Zoe electric vehicle (EV) in India at Auto Expo 2020. The compact hatchback is equipped with a 52kWh battery good for a WLTP-tested range of 385km. Internationally, the Zoe comes with two power outputs - the 110PS R110 and the 135PS R135. Only the latter was showcased at the Auto Expo.  Renault could launch the Zoe in India in late 2021. It is likely to be priced upwards of Rs 14 lakh at launch.

The Zoe comes with a 400-volt battery which weighs 326kg. Despite its kerb weight of 1502kg, the Zoe can sprint to the 96kmph (60mph) mark in a Hyundai Kona-matching 9.5 seconds.

Renault has packed the Zoe with a host of tech features such as automatic headlights, 10-inch driver’s display, and front parking sensors. For colder climates, the Zoe is equipped with heated door mirrors, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel. Although 15-inch wheels are standard equipment, Renault offers wheel upgrades of 16- and 17 inches in other markets.

Don’t let the Zoe fool you with its cute looks and diminutive proportions. At 4.08m, this car is longer than most hatchbacks sold in India. The interior is spacious and modern and a bit plasticky. Renault could offer it with 100 per cent recyclable fabric interiors.

The Zoe is also available with some driver assistance tech in other countries such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and traffic sign recognition. It remains to be seen if Renault brings any of these systems to India.

Charging the Zoe to 80 per cent from a DC fast charger takes a claimed 1 hour and 10 minutes. A 7.4kW wall box can charge it up in 9.5 hours. The Zoe has what Renault calls a ‘Chameleon Charger’ which takes 2.3kW, 3.7kW, 7.4kW, 11kW, 22kW, and 50kW chargers. It always draws the maximum possible power from the available charging unit and is compatible with AC, DC, and Green-up chargers.

We saw a dissected Zoe at Auto Expo 2018, but the intact model seen this year could make it to our shores. Its large battery has made the Zoe expensive, but tax benefits and state government grants could make the Zoe more affordable to EV buyers.