PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Renault reveals long-range Zoe

Renault has launched a long-range version of its Zoe supermini that comes equipped with a claimed driving range of 400km.

Called the Zoe Q90, the small pure-electric hatch offers a range that according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test makes the small hatch the new non-premium leader for pure-electric car range.

In real-world conditions, the French car-maker says the Zoe can still cover more than 300km.

The new range gains come from a new 41kWh lithium-ion battery that has twice the energy density of the previous model despite being no larger or weighing no more than the standard battery pack.

Charging time is said to be identical to the regular Zoe with a short 30-minute charge providing for a range of more than 80km.

On sale now in France, the upgraded Zoe also features a new sat-nav system that now identifies around 80,000 individual charging points in Europe.

Pricing in France begins at around $33,500 (after incentives are taken into account), but does not include the $100 monthly leasing charge for the Zoe's batteries.

As revealed recently, Renault Australia has taken delivery of its own Zoe to assess its viability Down Under -- mainly among business users -- and continues to trial the Kangoo ZE van.

For the Zoe to go on sale for retail customers, the car-maker says incentives and a dramatic improvement in this country's infrastructure are crucial for it and other zero-emission vehicles to flourish.

Speaking to motoring.com.au, Renault Australia managing director Justin Hocevar remained optimistic about the Zoe's local prospects given the luxury car tax breaks on offer for efficient (sub-7.0L/100km) vehicles priced over about $75,000.

"If you have a low-emission vehicle you can get a benefit for luxury car tax. There is an advantage for buyers so the precedent is there in our market, it just does not currently exist at the lower end."

At the show Renault claimed that by launching the Zoe Q90, it effectively had ended the single biggest barrier to electric vehicle ownership -- range anxiety.