All-electric future from Renault

Renault's stand at this month's Paris motor show included a zero-emission all-electric concept car, designed to demonstrate the company's plans for a mass market version by 2011.

Early this year the Renault-Nissan Alliance signed partnership agreements with regions including Israel, Portugal, Japan and the state of Tennessee in the USA to promote the introduction of the all-electric car.

The zero-emissions ZE concept is based on the recently introduced Kangoo Be Bop displayed at Paris (more here).

Renault says it is focussing on reducing the amount of energy used by the car's comfort features, such as climate control, heating and lighting, to develop a useful travel range for the electric vehicle. As an example, the likes of Chevrolet say its Volt (more here) will travel 60km before the petrol engine will take over.

Renault has used a Thermos technique for the ZE Concept's bodywork, incorporating two panels to trap air and reduce fluctations in cabin temperature, while roof-mounted solar panels power a temperature control system. The solar panels also power cameras which have been fitted in place of side-view mirrors to reduce aerodynamic drag.

The ZE Concept uses a 70kW electric motor, with 226Nm torque, and lithium-ion batteries.

The concept's aim as a "socially responsible vehicle" means "pedestrians are reassured" by the absorbant aspect offered by polyurethane gel-filled bumpers designed to deform after impact, according to Renault.

While on concept news -- though no word whether it'll see production -- read our Paris show preview article on the Renault Ondelios here.

The Ondelios moves on from the 2006 Nepta concept, which was designed to express "prestige and comfort" while the Ondelios adds green to the top end, embodying "prestige and environment".

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