From December 7th to 9th, Renault will electrify the 11th edition of LeWeb in Paris. LeWeb is a prominent event dedicated to digital innovations.

Twizy is LeWeb’s guest star!

Twizy will be available for the 3 000 visitors of the event. They will be able to customize their very own model in a jiffy, thanks to a Kinect module, and share it on Facebook. More importantly, the lucky visitors of the Renault lounge will have the opportunity to leave the digital world for a few moments to sit behind the wheels of the much-awaited electric two-seaters!

Also on the menu for these three days, the revelation by Carlos Tavares of an embedded multimedia tablet which will be provided on some Renault cars. This tablet will feature some exclusive functionalities for Z.E. drivers.

You really don’t want to miss these revelations, so follow our live tweet on Twitter starting from Tuesday until Friday.

Each year, LeWeb welcomes the digital economy’s major international actors. As pioneers of the electric revolution since we will be offering a full range of 100% electric cars by 2012, we are proud to represent the automotive innovation for this new edition.

In partnership with Gestamp Solar, Renault is launching the world’s biggest solar energy project in the automotive industry by installing solar roof panels at its French plants.

The panels will eventually cover a total area of 450,000 m2 offering an installed power capacity of 60 MW (the annual consumption of a town with a population of 15,000). By using renewable solar energy, Renault will cut CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons a year!

The project concerns the sites of Douai, Maubeuge, Flins, Batilly, Sandouville and Cléon (ISO 14001-certified since 2000).

Drawing representing Douai’s plant

This is part of Renault 2016 – Drive The Change, Renault’s strategic plan to reduce its carbon footprint by 10% by 2013 and by a further 10% between 2013 and 2016. Renault has implemented several actions to reduce consumption at its plants (e.g. the zero carbon plant in Tangiers). With the solar roof project, Renault is showing its concern to conserve resources by diversifying the energy mix used to generate electricity, and particularly by using renewable energy sources.

The start date for installation is mid-June 2011 and completion is scheduled for February 2012.

So, what do you think about it?

A Renault Fluence Z.E climbed on the highest step of the podium in the 300 km inter-city Challenge Bibendum 2011 rally, last week. In doing so it took the title not only from high-performance electric roadsters but also from hydrogen and fuel-cell vehicles.

Wednesday, May 18th, 8:15am, the driver Grégory Fargier (test driver for Renault Sport Technologies) and his co-driver Sylvie Savornin are behind the Fluence Z.E.’s wheel, ready to hit the roads of the Challenge Bibendum. 300km later, they can be proud of their performance. They finished first and won several awards:

• · 1st place in the maneuverability test. It achieved a record time of 2.02 minutes, 5 seconds faster than the fastest of the Teslas.
• The award for best energy efficiency. It succeeded in covering the 300 km of the Challenge Bibendum with a consumption of only 37.44 kWh. This performance was achieved thanks to the vehicle’s energy efficiency and the driver’s eco-driving. In total, this represents a total autonomy of 215 km (including performance tests).
• The Fluence Z.E.’s entire well-to-wheel CO2 output was also recognised with an award. As calculated by the Michelin team of experts, the figure of 57 g/km was lower than that of hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles. It demonstrates that Renault’s electric technology is the cleanest and best-performing alternative energy solution.
• Award for Fluence Z.E.’s local emissions, because there are no polluting emissions in use… naturally
• Design award for vehicle having the best integrated recharging solution.

300 km with a single battery swap (that only took 6 minutes)!

The Fluence Z.E. needed one battery swap halfway through the race to complete 300 km, taking 6 minutes on the clock. This performance was carried out under racing conditions thanks to a simple modification of the battery fixing system, so the drivers could switch batteries manually. The final system will be designed for automated battery swaps only.

Visitors of the Renault stand were also offered an initiation to eco-driving techniques in a Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. Thanks to their eco-driving training, the 50 participants of the day gained an average of 25 km compared to “regular” driving.

A great car, advice for future Z.E. drivers, and a responsible behavior: driving the change has never been so close.

Check out our pics of the event’s heroes on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150196211703006.337351.125187578005

Better Place and Renault launch Fluence Z.E., the first “unlimited mileage” electric car together with innovative eMobility packages, in Europe’s first Better Place Center.

Better Place launched Europe’s first Better Place center on March 3^rd, with its partner Renault. Visitors will now be able to experience sustainable mobility and will have the opportunity to place an order for a Renault Fluence Z.E. with the Renault staff and sign up with the Better Place team for a subscription of mobility services – conveniently packaged for consumers, fleet managers and the public sector.

Attractive prices for unlimited autonomy

On the Fluence Z.E. “Prime Time” launched in Denmark from 205.000 DKK (€27.496), including VAT, Better Place will offer consumers a choice of five, fixed-price, packages based on kilometers driven.

For drivers who drive more than 40.000 kilometers per year, Better Place offers a fixed-price package of ‘all you can drive’ kilometers for 2.995 DKK (€399) per month, effectively giving drivers of the switchable-battery Fluence Z.E. unlimited driving range and unlimited kilometers in Denmark in an era when oil prices are at an all-time high and rising. For drivers who drive less than 20.000 kilometers per year, the fixed monthly price offer ranges from 1.495 DKK (€199) to 1.895 DKK (€249). Each subscription includes a one-time fee of 9.995 DKK (€1.341) for the installation of a private charge spot so that drivers can safely plug in at home.

Initial delivery of the Renault Fluence Z.E. with Better Place mobility services will occur in the fourth quarter of this year. The car will offer Danish drivers a range of up to 185 kilometers, measured on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) with a fully charged battery. Actual range is virtually “unlimited,” thanks to the convenience of switchable battery technology that will enable drivers to “refuel” their Fluence Z.E. in under five minutes in the Better Place network of battery switch stations.

Smart subscriptions for everyone!

Every subscription includes unlimited access to the Better Place network of public charge spots and battery switch stations, electricity usage, personalized energy management and navigation services via in-car and network software, an inventory of batteries with a guaranteed service level agreement, 24-hour access to customer service and support, and a private charge spot.

Overall, taking into account the vehicle selling price and the subscription packages, drivers will enjoy a more affordable driving alternative compared to the cost of petrol-based cars and fuel, depending on make and model of the car and driving usage. Importantly, drivers gain the added benefit of locking in a fixed price for mobility services without the volatility risk associated with the price of oil and without sacrificing range. This is a great day for electric mobility!

Do you know The Mobility House (TMH)? This company provides solutions for electric mobility in Austria. TMH just signed an agreement with Renault to promote “zero emission” mobility in this country.

This partnership aims to reassure future change drivers by giving them their complete package to electric mobility. Available in every Renault dealership, this pack will be composed of all the required tools to charge a Renault Z.E. electric vehicle.

Enjoy “zero emission” driving to the fullest!

This partnership was made possible thanks to TMH’s energetic partners in Austria. Better yet, TMH set up a special offer for the lucky owners of Renault and Nissan electric vehicles. They will be able to choose charge stations providing energy only coming from sustainable sources.

Partnerships are being signed in many countries to make sure everyone has a chance to access sustainable mobility. What will be the next one?