It was inevitable: mainstream electric vehicles are starting to get longer battery ranges between recharging.

The latest version of the all-electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. will boast a new motor and battery package which Renault says will increase its range to 168 miles. That’s 50% more than the current model’s 106-mile range.

Renault Kangoo Z.E. electric van

This announcement to increase the range on Kangoo Z.E. follows on from Renault recently launching at the 2016 Paris Motor Show the New Renault ZOE available with a new Z.E.40 battery that increases its NEDC driving range to 250 miles (186 miles in real world driving conditions) – the longest of any mainstream electric car.

I suspect there are further increases to come. A lot of firepower is now being put into electric drivetrains — in my view, it’s inevitable that such young technology will improved steadily for some time yet.