•Europcar Mobility Group orders 85 all-electric Renault ZOEs for its UK car sharing and Deliver & Collect operations

•A number of units to be used by E-Car Club to extend its cost-effective, low-emissions car share schemes

•Order will also work to significantly lower the carbon footprint of Europcar's city-based Deliver & Collect service

•Ease-of-use, environmental compatibility and real-world range of 186 miles influence repeat order

•Renault was the number one electric vehicle manufacturer in 2018, whilst the Renault ZOE is one of Europe's best-selling electric cars

•ZOE available from £18,420 on-the-road (after PiCG)

The UK's leading low-emission car sharing club has reaffirmed the suitability of the all-electric Renault ZOE for its growing operation as its parent company, Europcar Mobility Group, orders a further 85 of the award-winning supermini.

E-Car Club – ecarclub.co.uk – has taken a number of units, supporting its expansion across the UK, from East London to St Andrews, Scotland. Through the innovative scheme, E-Car Club provides the public with a low-cost, hassle-free and environmentally friendly alternative to private car ownership and customers can hire a Renault ZOE from only £4.50 per hour, including power and insurance.

The majority of E-Car Club's newly acquired, 40 kWh Renault ZOEs, will be used for a brand new scheme in North Solihull, which sees the popular EV available to members at nine locations throughout the region's residential areas.

Local drivers can hire any of the new ZOEs, one of which has been wrapped in a distinctive 'ECO Jungle' livery, by simply signing up online. Completely self-service, bookings can be made via the E-Car Club website 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with customers gaining access to a ZOE simply by scanning their membership card against the windscreen. Drivers then unplug the ZOE from the onsite charger to experience all the benefits of all-electric motoring.

The rest of the Renault ZOEs will be used by Europcar to support its Deliver & Collect service in major UK cities. The use of the Renault ZOE works to significantly lower Europcar's carbon footprint in these highly populated areas as well as reduce its operating costs.

The new order follows Europcar's successful introduction of 55 Renault ZOEs for its Deliver & Collect logistics fleet in 2016, which at the time was the biggest ever UK order for the best-selling EV.

Europcar opted to extend its fleet of the 100 per cent electric, five-door supermini following feedback from both E-Car Club members and its own drivers. The ZOE has proved to be perfect for both its busy Deliver & Collect role and E-Car Club's car sharing model, being immensely easy to drive and charge, spacious and boasting a very practical real-world range of up to 186 miles on a single charge. Notably, the reliability of the Renault ZOEs already on fleet also influenced Europcar's purchasing decision.

All of the ZOEs have been supplied in Dynamique Nav trim. As standard, this includes hands-free keycard, automatic lights and wipers, rear parking sensors, cruise control, climate control, 7-inch R-Link infotainment system with voice-controlled sat nav, electric windows and LED Daytime Running Lights.

Power is provided by the R110 electric motor and the Z.E 40 battery. The usability of the Renault ZOE is further enhanced through its flexible charging options.

Gary Smith, Managing Director, Europcar Mobility Group in the UK said: 'Since adding the Renault ZOE to our Deliver & Collect logistics fleet in 2016 we've found its usability has been a big plus for our operation. A vast array of our Deliver & Collect drivers use them, many of which have never experienced an electric vehicle before. The simplicity means that they can quickly familiarise themselves with the car. The instant response and fully automatic transmission also adds to a fuss-free driving experience in the often-congested urban areas in which our ZOEs operate. But more importantly they are playing a pivotal role in helping us to lower our carbon footprint and reach our goal of five per cent of our entire UK vehicle fleet being pure electric by 2020.'

Patrick Cresswell, Managing Director of E-Car Club, added: 'The Renault ZOE has always worked well and been popular with our members, it's also been a great way to introduce the public to affordable, all-electric motoring. Our customers especially like how easy it is to use and, as we continue to launch in new areas, it's highly likely that we will be adding even more to our fleet.'

Vincent Tourette, Managing Director of Groupe Renault UK, said: 'This sizeable order highlights not only the immense usability of the Renault ZOE, but also its suitability as the perfect EV to introduce drivers to the many benefits of all-electric motoring. We are especially pleased that through E-Car Club's and Europcar's deployment of its latest ZOEs that they will be making a worthwhile difference in lowering emissions and noise pollution in heavily populated areas.'

The multi award-winning ZOE is available with an easy choice of two motors – the R110 and Q90 – and can be specified in Dynamique Nav and Signature Nav level of trim. Equipped with the Q90 motor, the ZOE can be charged from zero to 80 per cent in one hour.

ZOE continues to be available to purchase in two ways. First, under a battery hire scheme, where ZOE pricing starts at £18,420 (OTR) after the Government Plug-in Car Grant, with battery leasing from £59 per month. In addition, Renault offers retail customers who purchase a ZOE, a free 7kW wall box charger fully-installed at their home to ensure the best possible electric experience.

Renault is the leader in EV sales in Europe – ZOE is one of Europe's best-selling all-electric passenger cars and the Kangoo Van Z.E. is the best-selling electric LCV. The award-winning Renault Z.E. range consists of the ZOE hatchback, the Twizy – a fun, distinctive, urban runaround – and the Kangoo Van Z.E. – a commercial vehicle that is identical to a normal Kangoo Van but with all the advantages of an EV, including no tailpipe emissions. Renault is a pioneer of the electric vehicle market with more than 100,000 EVs sold worldwide to date and with over 5,000 EVs is the leading manufacturer in electric car sharing in Europe.

For more information on the Renault Z.E range, visit www.renault.co.uk and www.easyelectriclife.com

Photo credit: Renault
posted on conceptcarz.com

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