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A car like a dryer. No, I do not make fun of the design of the ZOE and it is not meant to be pejorative. On the contrary. The key word for the similarity between Renault ZOE and a tumble dryer is: heat pump.
Renault Zoe: air pump or e-car future?
If you look at the price range for tumble dryers, you will notice that only the “expensive” tumble dryers work with a “heat pump”. And? What does this mean for the electric car? In my opinion, it is above all a sign of seriousness. While other manufacturers, in the absence of a heat-producing gasoline engine, provide the heat for the heating for the electric motors using an “immersion heater” and thus indirectly reduce the range of their own electric vehicle - the complex technology of the heat pump leads to more efficiency. What is responsible for low power consumption in tumble dryers, ensures greater range in electric cars.
Heat pump on wheels
Unlike the tumble dryers with a heat pump, the ZOE does not belong to the upscale price segment for electric cars - on the contrary, with a purchase price of € 21.700 or more, the ZOE is even cheaper to buy.
How does this come about and what can the little Frenchman do? A first ride with the cuddly Renault should bring a little bit of the excitement with which individual mobility will manage without petrol and diesel in the future.
Electric motor power:
88 PS
[/one_third] [one_third last=”no”]Reach:
210 KM
[/one_third][one_third last=”yes”]Purchase price, from:
21,700 €
[/ one_third]Cute and defiant
At first glance, the ZOE's look is particularly cute, the longer you look at the front bumper inflated into a pout, the more you get the impression that the narrow DE headlights and the thick upper lip look a little defiant. As if the whole burden of the coming energy transition in mobility rests on the tightly shaped shoulders of the little Frenchman and he now has to prove that e-mobility is not just a game ball for eco-motorists.
On the sidelines, the compact, just over four meters long, looks completely normal, no wacky experiments like its rhombus-electric brother Twizy. Renault has hidden the door handles for the rear doors as if to warn the additional passengers about the lack of space. In addition, the door handles are awkward to use. So it's best to get in at the front and enjoy the tidy cockpit.
A wide digital display informs the pilot about the charge status, speed and current operation of the French. In the middle sits the new multimedia system from the French, named R-Link, including the air conditioning. Which brings me back to the heat pump.
Especially in the cold season, operating the heating in the interior consumes a large part of the energy - so if you want to explore the maximum range, you need efficient air conditioning technology. Wikipedia explains the exact functioning of the heat pump. I just find it extremely remarkable that Renault is installing this complex technology in series - with the BMW copy of the Audi A2, the i3, this technology costs, as usual, an extra charge.
210 kilometers range
Thanks to the consistently implemented efficiency, the small ZOE should travel up to 210 kilometers with one battery charge. My first test drive with the little French was unfortunately significantly shorter, so that I cannot say anything about the “real range” at this point.
As usual with e-mobiles, it is primarily this wonderful tranquility that you enjoy when you go on a tour with a slight whir. A 400 volt lithium-ion battery with 22 kWh of energy provides the drive for the up to 88 hp electric motor. The ZOE hums to 4 km / h in 50 seconds. At 135 km / h, Renault has pushed the electric bolt.
Long tours on motorways will probably remain the big exception, even with the inexpensive ZOE. It is the promise of locally emission-free mobility that can be fulfilled at an attractive price. However, the purchase price “from” € 21.700 is only part of the cost - Renault also realizes the low purchase price by renting batteries.
rent me
Battery rent is dependent on two factors: the term of the rent and the annual mileage. Overview:
| Battery rental price | Mileage up to | zu | Kilometer | per year | |
| Runtime | 12.500 km | 15.000 km | 20.000 km | 25.000 km | 30.000 km |
| 12 months | 99 € | 106 € | 122 € | 142 € | 162 € |
| 24 months | 89 € | 96 € | 112 € | 132 € | 152 € |
| 36 months | 79 € | 86 € | 102 € | 122 € | 142 € |
| 48 months | 79 € | 86 € | 102 € | 122 € | 142 € |
This solution has both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, the question remains open as to which conditions the buyers of used cars will receive from Renault, on the other hand, the battery - currently the weakest link in the chain of new technology - is secured by this solution. It remains a decision that will probably be made based on personal preferences.
CONCLUSION:
For me it is clear that the ZOE makes a lot more sense than the Munich design experiment, which is currently being seen by the public very promptly at the IAA. Because unlike the similarly sized BMW i3, the ZOE can shine with a pleasing design and is cheaper to buy around many corners (For the difference of ~ 14.000 € you rent the batteries of the ZOE for a decade!) and offers a reasonable trunk with a loading volume of up to 1.225 liters.
No - the first trip with the little French was not exciting, rather sobering. Because the ZOE shows: E-mobility no longer has to be expensive, even if it drives into the parking lot in the form of an “almost normal” car! Cool. And clearly more visible to the neighbors than my expensive heat pump tumble dryer in the basement!
As soon as I had the opportunity to test the little French properly, I will post a more detailed driving report online .. stay tuned ..
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