I reserved a Renault Zoe

Somewhere around noon on December 12th, I reserved a Renault Zoe.

Why?

I want to get an early opportunity for a test drive. People with reservations will be the first to test drive the production car. -- There have been some press drives but they have all be in pre-production cars.

The i3 is going to be too expensive. Last official word was "less than a 5 series" That would put it around £30,000(UK) but below $47,500(US)

The Zoe I've reserved is £14,750 and the base model is £13,650. A Leaf is £25,990

Zoe has an NEDC range of 130 miles. Real world range is between 60 and 100 miles. That is better range than any other production EV on the market except for the Model S.


Zoe has some unique technology that should be in every EV. The interior is warmed by a heat pump instead of a resistance heater. That saves a couple of kW when the heat is on and improves winter range.

Zoe has an on board AC fast charger. At 44kW (400V 3 phase AC) it will charge the batteries in 30 minutes. (Charge time from a home outlet is 3-4 hours) Renault has some key patents on the charger. It reuses the inverter and the motor and stator coils to keep cost and weight down.


We are only out £49 if we decide not get one. It is a Renault after all.

I must admit I'm expecting the i3 to be expensive. Just don't forget you have to lease the batteries with the Zoe too...

Renault sent me a couple of Christmas gifts.

The first was a pair of Veja Zoe trainers. These shoes were made as a premium for the first 1500 reservations world-wide. With my reservation going in 9 months after opening day, I wasn't expecting a pair. Worldwide reservations must be far below what Renault had hoped for.

The shoes aren't bad. I feel like I've gotten my £49 worth. Not bad as I still haven't decided on a Zoe, an i3 or something else.



The second, this plastic model, was a surprise.