insideKENT Magazine Issue 30 - September 2014 | Page 126

MOTORS

The Renault ZOE electric car
Price: From £13,995
Top Speed: 84 MPH
0-62MPH: 13.5 seconds
Performance: 87 BHP

So, the burning question: How do
you charge up this electric car? Well,
thanks to the brilliant chameleon
charger technology, it really couldn't
be simpler. This adaptive charger
means that the ZOE can take any
level of charge between 3kW and
43kW. Unlike most electric vehicles,
it can handle accelerated charging
at 22kW, which can charge 80% in
an hour. At 7kW, the car is charged
100% in three to four hours, whilst
on good old three-pin 3kW charging,
it will still be ready to rock in eight
to nine hours. Carried out through
the same connector, the ZOE's
versatility means it is one of the most
user-friendly electric cars currently
on the market.
Another great element of the ZOE
is the fact you don't need to buy a
battery, as you rent it from Renault.
The manufacturer will therefore
ensure the battery works properly,
and better still, it will replace it the
moment it drops below 75%
efficiency (the car will tell them when
this happens!). The result? No dead
batteries sitting in your garage next
to the wine rack, and no breaking
down at the side of the M20.
I figured that as this is a car that's
designed to help preserve our
beautiful planet for future
generations, it would be a good idea

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to find out just what two little
representatives thought after a ride
in the ZOE. Emma (aged 10) said it
was "cool, clean and comfy", while
Jack (aged 8) thought it was
"awesome". Kids don't tend to mess
around being subtle or polite when
it comes to subjectivity, so I think
their few words speak volumes.
It's great to know there are
companies out there like Renault,
that don't just build cars like the ZOE
to tick a box on some political
agenda, but clearly care passionately
and believe wholly in following a path
which it feels is the future of
motoring. And it may well be right;
and if so, it's good to know that we'll
be driving around in cars as cool as
the ZOE!

Motorline Renault
Ashford: 01233 215516
Canterbury: 01227 388544
Maidstone: 01622 616383
www.motorline.co.uk/renault