The new Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 has gone on sale in the UK, with an official range of 250 miles available from a single charge. There have also been tweaks made to the all-electric French supermini’s trim levels, with upgrades to the exterior and cabin across the line-up.
Revealed at the Paris Motor Show in September, the Zoe Z.E. 40 has the longest range of any mainstream electric vehicle, beating recent models from the likes of BMW and Hyundai in comfortably topping the 200 mile mark. Renault also quotes a real-world range of 186 miles, with 124 miles available in extreme cold conditions.
The main contribution to the Zoe Z.E. 40’s increased range is the change to the Renault’s battery. The existing 22kW battery has been upgraded to a 40kW pack, almost doubling the cars range. The battery is the same physical size and there are no changes to the Zoe’s exterior or interior dimensions, with improved chemistry and packaging allowing the engineers to offer almost twice the battery capacity in the same space.
The Zoe line-up remains split in two with the arrival of the new model, with options of either rapid charge compatible, or non-rapid charge compatible models. The rapid-charge Zoe’s offer reduced range, but sit at 230 miles (official), 174 miles (real-world), and 112 miles (extreme cold). The previous 22kW specification Zoe remains available as an entry level model, though only in one trim level and charging option – non-rapid – with 149 miles official range.
Charging times vary on the model selected, but for the new Zoe Z.E. 40 range, non-rapid charge models will take 1 hour 40 minutes on a 43kW Rapid AC charger for a 0-80% charge, or just over one hour for the rapid charge compatible versions. On a 7kW charger, a 0-100% charge will take either 7 hours and 25 minutes or 8 hours and 25 minutes for the non-rapid and rapid charge compatible Renault’s respectively.
Other changes come in the shape of a new trim level – Signature Nav – which sits at the top of the range. This includes features such as leather trim, heated front seat, Bose sound system, rear parking camera, and 16-inch alloys. External changes include three new colours, changes to badging, and new alloy wheel designs.
As before, Renault offers the Zoe range in either outright purchase, or with the option to lease the battery. There is a new unlimited mileage option with the lease of the Zoe Z.E. 40’s battery now though. All customers get a free 7kW home charge point too, and access to two new Renault Z.E. apps – Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass.
The first is a public charge point map across a large number of European countries, offering real-time charge point information. The second, Z.E. Pass, is a payment app that offers cross network accessibility in many European countries, meaning new Zoe Z.E. 40 drivers can make the most of their longer range vehicles by taking them abroad easily. Both of these will be rolled out in the UK next year.
Prices start at £17,845 for the new Zoe Z.E. 40 model – inc. PiCG and with battery leasing. Full purchase models start at £23,445. The Zoe range begins at £13,995 and £18,995 for battery lease and full purchase models respectively for the smaller range 22kW model.
Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 charging times
