Renault Zoe - Europe's electric leader tested in winter
The Renault ZOE is Europe's best-selling electric car. With 40,000 registrations, the ZOE accounts for almost 20% of all electric cars sold on the European continent. In Germany, Spain and France it does even better: there, every other zero-emission vehicle has the ZOE badge on its bodywork. I put the ZOE through a serious test - a long winter journey and everyday use in the mountains.
Winter range, DC charging and B-mode
When the model made its debut in 2012, the real-world range of the first-generation ZOE with its 22 kWh battery was 150 km, which was already well above the average daily distance covered by European drivers. In 2016 Renault launched the second-generation ZOE. The same year saw the arrival of the Z.E.40 battery, whose 41 kWh capacity doubled the car's real-world range to 300 km. The latest ZOE simply had to be better still, and it is. Its WLTP-certified range is 395 km. But let's be honest: on the open road and in winter, that figure is hard to reach. In sub-zero temperatures, driving at around 90 km/h with no chance to recover energy at a steady cruise, the range is about 250 km.
A very important change in the latest generation, perhaps the most important of all, is the ability to charge from DC rapid chargers of up to 50 kW using a CCS Combo connector. DC charging is particularly useful on long journeys.
The new ZOE also introduces a new driving mode, B-mode, in which the driver hardly needs to touch the brake pedal. With B-mode engaged, the car slows down more sharply than with standard regenerative braking. It is worth noting, however, that with a cold battery (an ambient temperature of around 0 degrees) the mode refuses to engage, and the central display tells you so. You can only enjoy the full benefits of this feature when it is warm and the battery is around 50% discharged. With a fuller battery there is no difference in energy recovery between the "D" and "B" modes.
Another new feature of the latest ZOE is the new 100 kW R135 motor, whose output is equivalent to 135 hp in a combustion engine. Torque has been increased, and with it acceleration.
Heat pump, infotainment and an eco-friendly interior
The heat pump is very efficient. Within moments, misted-up windows clear and snow and ice begin to melt. This happens much faster than in a conventionally powered car, because there is no need to wait for the engine to warm up.
Even in its base version, the new Renault ZOE comes with a 10-inch display. The 9.3-inch touchscreen of the infotainment system, set as an extension of the centre console, gives access to all the navigation and entertainment functions. Many of the controls are identical to those in the latest Clio.
The rear lights are designed to make the back of the car look visually wider. The two horizontal red light strips are LEDs. They light up sequentially from the inside out - until recently, this was something found only in premium models.
Inside the new ZOE there is another nod to ecology. Some types of upholstery are made from recycled carded yarn, which requires no melting or chemical processing. It is produced exclusively from used seat belts and plastic waste (PET). And I'll be honest: this upholstery looks very good!
The car is fitted with a sounder that warns pedestrians of an approaching "silent" vehicle. The noise, emitted at speeds of up to 30 km/h, sounds like something an old organ might produce in an abandoned church. It is probably a little unsettling the first time you hear it from inside the car.
Test summary
Despite being a B-segment car, the Renault ZOE performs well on longer journeys. The increased range and the option of DC rapid charging are major strengths. The heating and air conditioning worked flawlessly, far better than in a conventionally powered car. Ergonomics borrowed from the latest Clio, the infotainment system and the eco-friendly upholstery make the car comfortable, practical and in keeping with the spirit of an environmentally conscious age.
