Nissan has vowed to be at the forefront of electric vehicle technology but Nissan’s parent company, Renault, won’t be far behind. The French automaker has announced that it plans to have three electric vehicles to market by the year 2012.
According to Autocar, the zero-emissions models will include an electric version of the company’s Kangoo MPV, an electric car based on the Megane sedan and an all-new small car model that will offer seating for five.
Renault has been testing an electric version of its Megane in Israel for some time now, with that program serving as the basis for the production electric car. Expect the electric version of the Megane to hit the market in 2011, with an electric version of the Kangoo dropping just before it.
Although Renault’s all-new electric model will be a small city car, look for the French automaker to inject it with plenty of style and fun driving dynamics. Renault is keen on keeping the car’s image fresh and youthful – as opposed to most other boring city car models – and will probably give the car a unique body design (think Toyota Prius).
All three models should be on the market by 2012, with Renault planning to use its electric car fleet to shuttle athletes and spectators to and from the 2012 Olympic games in London.
11/11, 12:04 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Wow that one in the picture must have been designed by acid heads.
11/11, 12:57 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Imagine trying to see out of that green. That thing reminds of the Legoâ„¢ space ships I used to play with when I was a kid.
“Renault is keen on keeping the car’s image fresh and youthful – as opposed to most other boring city car models – and will probably give the car a unique body design (think Toyota Prius).”
That sentence has me wondering… Should I think “Toyota Prius” as to what the new Renault will look like, or should I think “Toyota Prius” as to “boring city car models”?
A Megane EV would be cool. I kind of like the new Megane. But 2012 is a long way off, and I doubt any of these will be coming here.
11/11, 2:54 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
THIS THING LOOKS LIKE ONE OF MY KIDS HOT WHEELS…..
11/11, 3:00 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
We’re all going to be glowing that color in about 10 years from sitting on top of those batteries all the time.
11/11, 4:51 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
LOL…. johnny that’s a good one….
11/11, 5:04 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Electric or no, I’d rather die than drive a French car. Almost.