Eco News

Renault intends to produce annually 100,000 units of its new range of electric vehicles until the year 2015. The estimate is almost two times higher compared to normal demand of about 30,000-50,000 units per year. “These figures show the confidence that Renault and Nissan put in the electric cars,” said Carlos Ghosn, executive director of the company.

Renault initially will convert models Clio, Megane saloon and Kangoo light van, to work with electricity. Cars will be destined for Israel and Denmark markets until 2011.Nissan will also be on these markets in the same year.

Since 2012, both companies will launch an electric car. Renault officials have said that the new car will be from steel, for cost reasons. The car will have almost 4 meters length and space in interior for at least four people.

Energy will be stored in lithium-ion batteries, produced by a partnership between the Alliance and NEC, the Japanese electronics giant. The loading will be four to eight hours to an almost empty battery and two to four hours for a battery half downloaded.

Renault officials have said that technology of start-stop for cars will be introduced gradually on the entire range of Renault since 2009-2010.