The finalised design for the electric Renault Kangoo Z.E.,shown tethered to a charging point

Renault has finalised the designs of its first two electric models, the Fluence Z.E. and the Kangoo Z.E., which will be an electric version of the popular Kangoo van. Both models can now be pre-reserved on the Renault Z.E. website and are due to go on sale sometime around the middle of 2011, according to Renault.

The Kangoo Z.E. will have “the same practical functions as the internal combustion-engined vehicle”, according to Renault. This will include an identical payload, load space and cab configuration. In addition, Renault boasts that drivers will be able to enjoy the benefits of “a silent ride and responsive performance, the immediate availability of torque as soon as it starts, no gear changes, low running costs and, of course, the satisfaction of owning a zero-emissions* vehicle. “

*road use related CO2 emissions

Pre-reserving either the Fluence Z.E. or the Kangoo Z.E. will put prospective buyers at the top of the waiting lists for these vehicles and ensure that they are kept up to date on progress as production gets closer. Renault openly admits that the primary market for the Kangoo Z.E. will be fleets – such a van should make an ideal urban/semi-urban delivery vehicle, running a known mileage on fixed routes and able to be charged every night, on private premises.

The dashboard of the electric Kangoo - notice the charge meter instead of a fuel gauge

The Renault-Nissan Alliance has invested €4bn in its electric vehicle program and is lobbying governments all over the world to encourage them to create the infrastructure needed (such as charging points) to making using electric vehicles practical. They are obviously serious about electric power and believe that by 2020, 10% of the world market – a bold claim, but just about plausible to my ears, anyway.