Renault has updated its electric vehicle line-up with the launch of its first-ever Master Z.E. model, which arrives as the new version Kangoo Van Z.E. gets a 50% longer range.
The Master Z.E. is aimed at last-mile urban distribution and municipal needs and marries up a 33kWh Z.E.33 battery with a 76bhp electric motor enabling a range of 124 miles on the NEDC cycle. A full charge from a 7kW wallbox takes six hours.
On sale in Europe at the end of 2017, there will be four versions – covering three lengths and two heights.
The 33kWh battery is shared with the upgraded Kangoo Van Z.E., which arrives midway through the year. Its added battery capacity and new motor means it offers a 168-mile range on the NEDC cycle – up by over 50% and the longest of any electric LCV.
The latest Kangoo Van Z.E. is also marked out as the first electric LCV to be equipped with a heat pump linked to the air conditioning, helping it to maintain range in cold weather. It also offers faster charging times thanks to a new 7kW 32A charger, with a full charge now taking six hours.
Renault’s connected services will also be extended to all Renault LCV customers. These will include the Z.E. Trip and Z.E. Pass solutions, designed to enable easy charging on one of Europe’s 80,000 public EV charging points.
A number of other connected services are also being rolled out in Europe, covering a ‘Fleet Management’ telematics data solution and ‘Predictive Maintenance’, which issues real-time information on the vehicle’s condition. A Renault UK spokesperson said both services are likely to make it to the UK, due around late 2017 to early 2018. Meanwhile new interactive apps will be available, such as the My Z.E. Connect Pro specialised service for businesses.
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