The first Renault Z.E. cars are now on the road and we really love reading the feedback from our customers about their new experiences. Among the pioneers driving a Renault Z.E., some are none other than… celebrities! Let’s have a closer look at some of our most famous ambassadors.

Renault Z.E. cars for Dame Ellen MacArthur & Yann Arthus Bertrand, both crafting a better world

Last November, Ellen MacArthur picked up the keys to a brand new black Renault Kangoo Z.E. for her Foundation. It’s the logical choice for the famous sailor, who is very concerned by the protection of the environment and wants to promote green awareness among future generations. By driving a Kangoo Z.E., there’s no doubt her projects will still have wind in their sails!

Then, in December, French photographer, reporter and ecologist Yann Arthus-Bertrand took delivery of  a Renault Fluence Z.E. After trying it out for only one weekend, he was already praising the driving pleasure and the comfort of his new car. By driving a Renault electric car, Yann Arthus-Bertrand believes we can “meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generation to meet theirs”

Tomer Sisley caught driving a Twizy in Cannes’ streets!

Renault Twizy never ceases to amaze us! Despite our electric urban two-seaters, both agile and safe, not quite yet being available in the showrooms, the lucky few who have had the chance to try it have already given their verdict: they simply love it.  Tomer Sisley, the hero of Largo Winch, was amongst the first lucky drivers. He actually made Twizy the highlight of the famous French magazine, “Auto Moto”. Let’s watch this video, shot on the streets of Cannes’.

What about you? Which celebrity would you like to see driving a Z.E. car?

On behalf of her Foundation, Ellen MacArthur was today presented with the keys to an electric Kangoo – one of the first to come off the production line – by Carlos Tavares.

“It’s an immense pleasure for me to be able to hand over the keys of an electric Kangoo to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation,” saidCarlos Tavares. “Together, we believe that protecting the environment only makes sense if it involves the vast majority of people. This in turn calls for a real commitment from businesses to propose clean yet affordable innovations. With Ellen MacArthur Foundation, we are convinced that Kangoo Z.E. has the wind in its sails.”

Ellen MacArthur praised… “Renault’s commitment to the marketing of readily affordable electric cars. This is a decisive step towards a viable, long-term economic model. We are working together to encourage the younger generation to seize the formidable opportunity it has to build a positive future.”

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s mission is to work with the worlds of education and business to inspire people to re-think, re-design and build a positive future. As a player in the world of sustainable mobility, thanks notably to the launch of a comprehensive range of electric vehicles, Renault has been involved with the foundation since its creation in 2010.

The 15,000 electric cars will be sold to 19 prominent French companies, including 10,000 for La Poste, the French postal service!

Kangoo Z.E. is available in dealerships since October 28^th, which means the world is beginning to change! Renault actually won the first lot in a call for bids initiated by the public authorities. A total 15,637 Kangoo Z.E. models have been ordered by the 19 companies taking part in the call for bids, of which 10,000 for La Poste, 1,500 for ERDF, 1,200 for UGAP, 510 for Veolia Environnement, 450 for GDF-Suez and 330 for Spie.

This order is a strong symbol of the trust put into Renault’s electric range of vehicles. Commenting J. Stoll, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing & Light Commercial Vehicles said: “This success by Renault confirms the relevance of our electric vehicle offering. The 19 large companies acquiring Kangoo Z.E. were attracted to its intrinsic qualities and by our original business model, based in particular on battery rental. I would like to warmly thank the customers in the call for bids that placed their trust in us and the Renault employees that made this possible.”

Thanks to Renault Z.E., Renault’s full range of electric cars, tomorrow’s public utility will be… zero emission!

The Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), France’s leading producer of 100% renewable electricity, signed a partnership agreement today at the Lyon International Motor Show with Renault, aimed at developing green energy! We tell you what to expect from this partnership.

The well-to-wheel zero emission mobility now a reality thanks to a smart recharging offer

A commercial offer for smart recharging will be made available to Renault Z.E. Drivers, who will be able to “fill-up” with CNR’s 100% renewable electricity. This partnership also offers opportunities to use Renault’s electric vehicles’ batteries at the end of their lifetime as an additional resource for storing energy produced by CNR. Last but not least, the CNR will supply Renault’s production sites with “green” electricity.

« Move in Pure » to manage remote charging of green energy coming from hydroelectricity, wind power or solar panels.

CNR has created the “Move in Pure” package, that has three advantages: providing remote recharging of electric vehicles’ batteries, guaranteeing that the energy used comes from the company’s hydroelectricity, wind power or solar production, and ensuring that the French national electricity grid (RTE) remains balanced.

The perfect trilogy to drive “green” in all circumstances, with Kangoo Z.E., Fluence Z.E., Twizy, and soon ZOE!

A month away from the launch of the first Renault Z.E., Renault partners with the Alsace Regional council to support the development of electric vehicle. This partnership provides for concrete incentives launched by the regional authorities to deploy charging infrastructure.

An additional grant of €5,000 maximum for the first 500 electric vehicle registrations

Did you know that since January 1^st, 2011 the Alsace regional government introduced a regional grant of €5,000 maximum for the first 500 electric vehicle registrations, in addition to the €5,000 grant on offer from central government? This offer is open to individuals or professionals with less than 10 employees, who buy or hire an electric vehicle for at least 36 months.

An active role to play in the development of infrastructures

The Alsace region calls for interest aims to encourage the creation of public and private partnerships for the deployment of charging infrastructures and may also provide co-funding for projects to install facilities on the public highway or on private premises that are open to the general public. The regional government will also support the installation of charging terminals in the car parks of the 105 regional express railroad stations in Alsace, through a specific grant for local authorities. Renault will market up to 200 electric vehicles in Alsace before the end of the first quarter of 2012. Ten Renault Kangoo Z.E. vehicles will be made available to users in the region, for testing purposes.

Road-tests to increase future drivers’ awareness about electric mobility

To promote electric vehicles, Renault and the Alsace region will also take part in trials of Renault’s electric vehicles, demonstrations and communications campaigns on the aid that is available for the acquisition of a Zero Emission vehicle*, as part of their drive to promote electric vehicles.

The Alsace region will also support the gradual replacement of existing vehicle fleets in the region’s high schools with electric vehicles.

Renault will actively participate in the Electric Vehicle Owners Club, a forum for the sharing of experiences between the beneficiaries of regional grants. The manufacturer will provide information on electric vehicles and answer users’ questions in forums on the internet.