- It was on October 28, 2011, that Kangoo Z.E. first appeared in Renault showrooms to mark the official beginning of the brand’s electric vehicle offensive.
- Today, this small van, which is made at Maubeuge, France, has emerged as the best-selling electric vehicle in France and is marketed in 15 countries.
- Sales of Kangoo Z.E. have contributed significantly to Renault’s lead in the electric vehicle market. As of end-September 2012 (excluding Twizy), the brand enjoyed a European segment share of 28.2 percent.
- The model has also been acclaimed by the media in the form of numerous awards, including the prestigious ‘International Van of the Year 2012’ (IVOTY) prize which went to an electric vehicle for the very first time.
On October 28, 2011, the very first Kangoo Z.E.s went on sale at Renault dealerships. The launch of the zero-emission small van marked the official beginning of Renault’s electric vehicle offensive. It was the first of the four models which now make up the brand’s electric vehicle range, namely Kangoo Z.E., Fluence Z.E., Twizy and ZOE.
One year on, Kangoo Z.E.’s career has got off to a flying start, since more than 5,000 vehicles have already been sold across Europe, including almost 3,000 in France where it stands out as the country’s best-selling electric vehicle. Furthermore, within the framework of a tender issued by the French authorities’ central purchasing body UGAP (won by Renault in October 2011), orders for more than 15,000 Kangoo Z.E.s have been placed by 19 major French businesses and administrations. Kangoo Z.E. provides an effective answer to the environmental issues, that the latter are facing today when it comes to choosing vehicles for their fleets. For example, numerous cities, like Milan, in Italy, and Toulouse, France, have introduced drastic restrictions with regard to the presence of non-electric vehicle traffic in their centres.
Sales of the 2012 ‘International Van of the Year’ winner, which is made on the same lines as the internal combustion-engined Kangoos in Maubeuge, France, are consequently making a real contribution to Renault’s status as Europe’s number one manufacturer of electric vehicles (28.2 percent share).
These new vehicle registrations have also compounded Renault’s position as Europe’s leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles, a rank it has held since 1998 with a market share of 15.7 percent as of end-September, 2012.
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Who better to talk about EVs than their users?
Christophe Cluzeau (Baker/Pastry Cook, Mazerolles, France):
“I have been completely won over. I am even considering buying an electric vehicle as my personal car. On top of the financial savings and driving comfort EVs bring, it is time we modified our vision. We needn’t fear change. We should open our eyes and move on to a new era that simply calls for a healthier state of mind to be beneficial for the planet and for ourselves.”
François Lhotte (Sustainable Development Director, Moët Hennessy Champagne):
“Our group is attentive to innovative production processes which are respectful of the products we market. Using electrical energy for short journeys is one such example. In July 2010, we acquired a second-hand electric Kangoo, which we tested in our vineyards near Epernay, France. The test was positive and we replaced it earlier this year with a Kangoo Z.E. which proved even more dynamic. Driving it around town and in the vineyards is like having automatic transmission, while the lithium-ion technology means the battery charges very quickly, and at any time, so that pleases our head vigneron.”
Regis Emo (Campsite Director, Saint-Etienne de Villeréal, France):
“The prime reasons for my purchase of two Kangoo Z.E.s were cost savings and its ecological benefits. We are a registered ‘glamping’ campsite, which is a new trend founded on a luxury experience that is in contact with nature, comfortable and respectful of the environment. For us, it is vital to be close to nature and protect it. Our customers appreciate the fact that we are able to bring them fresh pastries for breakfast without making any noise or polluting the air. It’s a real ‘plus’!”
Contact: Aurélie JEGOU, +33 (0)1 76 84 91 86
Photo: Christophe Cluzeau and his wife Florence.
