A Renault Fluence Z.E has taken first place on the podium in the 300 km inter-city Challenge Bibendum 2011 rally. In doing so it took the title not only from high-performance electric roadsters but also from hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles.

As President Clinton was leaving lunch at Schneider’s in Davos, his advisor surveyed the pastries, pressed to pick a selection as good as the one that Clinton took home last year. Seizing the moment, I asked if President Clinton, or anyone in his party, wanted to test drive Nissan LEAF or a Renault Fluence Z.E. His advisor said they might stop by for a spin.

Welcome to Davos, where the world’s political and business leaders descend by helicopter and armored car to the World Economic Forum. As part of this community, what better place than here to bring zero emissions mobility?

Davos: it’s shorthand for the World Economic Forum (WEF), the annual gathering of the world’s top politicians, business leaders, intellectuals and thinkers.

We have yet to launch them in the showrooms but our electric cars are already winning awards.

The Alliance EVs are the editor’s choice in this year’s Green Awards run by What Car?, the leading UK consumer motoring magazine.

The Editor’s Award is made by magazine chief Steve Fowler who said: “The electric car has come of age – and that’s down to the Renault-Nissan Alliance. While other manufacturers are still making plans and running trials, Renault and Nissan have beaten them to the punch with proper electric cars you’ll actually be able to buy and run by this time next year. You’ll want one, too."

Fowler added that cars such as the Nissan Leaf and Renault Fluence will change people’s perceptions of electric motoring for good.

Renault might not be the first car manufacturer to market electric cars, as Fluence ZE and Kangoo ZE will hit the road mid 2011, but in order to give a flavour of those exciting models, a lot of pre series cars will be seen on European roads this year.