Electrical Gems #151 | Page 41

¢ WHAT ARTICLES WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE? LET US KNOW: [email protected] GREEN MACHINE RENAULT’S KANGOO Z.E. ELECTRIC VAN IS EASY ON THE ENVIRONMENT… AND EASY ON YOUR WALLET A t the recent federal election electric cars figured prominently in debates as both major parties competed for green votes. But are they a valid daily proposition and could they work for tradies? Renault certainly believes they are. The French carmaker has introduced the Kangoo Z.E. van to the Australian market in a bold bid to get locals hooked on low-emission, environmentally-friendly vehicles. And provided you don’t travel more than 200 kilometres in an average day on the tools – the Z.E.’s “real world” driving range – this van has real potential to save you money. A full charge takes eleven hours, meaning you can plug it into a regular 240v powerpoint overnight and wake up with the equivalent of a full tank. At a cost of about $8 for a complete charge, that’s a massive weekly saving, especially if you only drive 60 to 70 kilometres a day and need nothing more than an evening top-up. The Z.E. doesn’t have a lot of power – just 44kW – but its 4.6 cubic metre load capacity is respectable and a payload of 650kg puts it within striking distance of fossil-fuel- powered vehicles. At $55,000 drive-away, joining the electric car revolution is not cheap, but over the long-term performance figures suggest the Kangoo Z.E. could be a smart investment. SPECS: RENAULT KANGOO Z.E. RANGE: 200KM POWER: 44KW, TORQUE 226NM CHARGE TIME: 11 HOURS COST: $55,000 DRIVE AWAY MUST-HAVE APP FUEL TRADIES SHARE THEIR FAVOURITE FEEDS SOUTH END CAFE, NEWTOWN, NSW Todd Kelly, landscaper “I grab an early-morning cappuccino there when I can.” THE CHARLES HOTEL, NORTH PERTH, WA Rory Johnson, brickie’s assistant “I don’t mind the steak sanga when I’m in the area.” VICTORY HOTEL, BRISBANE, QLD Jake Langton, gyprocker “A good old pub with a nice rump steak.” ¢ GOT A SPOT TO SHARE? EMAIL US: [email protected] SOMETHING TO PASS THE TIME. Hang Line: Mountain Climber Yodo1 Games (Free) Have grappling hook, will travel. That’s the story behind this addictive action game that lets you swing and explore a variety of thrilling icy terrains. Everything from falling boulders, molten lava, lions and, yes, billy goats threaten our intrepid explorer as he climbs ever higher to reach the top. There are five mountain environments with more than 50 levels. JUN – JUL 2019 GEMCELL.COM.AU 41