Europcar to offer the new Renault Zero Emission range from 2011

(05/03/2010)

Europcar has pre-ordered 500 Renault electric vehicles for delivery in Europe’s largest cities from the 3rd quarter of 2011. Through a roll-out targeting its rental outlets in Europe’s largest cities, Europcar is set to offer its customers the new Renault Zero Emission range from 2011 in the European short-term rental market.

With electric vehicles, which produce zero emissions during use, Renault is preparing a breakthrough solution that provides sustainable mobility for all.

The four show-cars demonstrated at the Frankfurt Motor Show - Twizy Z.E. Concept, Zoe Z.E. Concept, Fluence Z.E. Concept, Kangoo Z.E. - are a foretaste of the electric vehicle (EV) range, whose market launch will begin in 2011 with three models:
· a family sedan,
· a small city car,
· an LCV-version Kangoo for fleets and business users.

They will be followed in 2012 by a compact 4-meter 5-seater sedan. After 2012, the EV range will continue to expand into all segments to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers.

“Europcar reaches a decisive point in bringing electric vehicles into the hire market; they will join the eco-friendly fleet that already features on our web sites”, stated Rafael Girona, Chief Operating Officer of Europcar Groupe. “The interaction between our network and Renault’s technology will genuinely pave the way for a major advance in mobility solutions. With the addition to its fleet of the Renault Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. models from 2011 and then of the Zoe Z.E. in 2012, Europcar is demonstrating its environmental commitment set out in its Charter for the Environment”.

“Renault firmly believes that the leverage created by short-term rentals will help to drive adoption of electric vehicles by individual customers, in addition to its distribution network. As part of our vision of electric vehicles for everyone’s daily use, we are delighted to be teaming up with Europcar, a global provider of mobility solutions. To enable our partner to launch its range of electric vehicles at the earliest opportunity, we have now reserved 500 Zero Emission Vehicles”, commented Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Senior Vice President, Renault’s Corporate Sales Division.

Related categories:  Car hire   Hybrid and electric car   Renault