The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Portuguese consortium MOBI.E Tech have partnered for the promotion of electric mobility in Portugal, one of the first countries in the world to adopt a countrywide electric mobility policy.  MOBI.E will include charging stations accessible to all electric vehicle brands. The stations will be installed all over [...]]]>

Nissan Leaf EV

The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Portuguese consortium MOBI.E Tech have partnered for the promotion of electric mobility in Portugal, one of the first countries in the world to adopt a countrywide electric mobility policy.  MOBI.E will include charging stations accessible to all electric vehicle brands. The stations will be installed all over Portugal, in places such as public car parks, shopping centers, hotels, airports and gasoline stations. Electric vehicle users will require only an identification card to access the network, regardless of the charging station location, providing a quick and seamless experience.

The network will have normal charging points which will be able to charge an electric vehicle in 6 to 8 hours, using wind energy produced during the night, as well as rapid charging points which will charge an electric vehicle in less than 30 minutes. 

“The Renault-Nissan Alliance believes that the true measure of electric mobility success is total customer satisfaction. Our partnership with MOBI.E Tech will ensure that all electric vehicle customers in Portugal are given the highest-quality charging experience possible,” said Emmanuel Delay, Senior Vice President of Administration and Finance at Nissan International SA.

“We congratulate the Portuguese government and the MOBI.E Tech consortium that were able to develop this project which we expect to become a world-class benchmark. We are commited to jointly studying the best way to promote this project for the success of electric mobility in Portugal,” said José Caro de Sousa, General Manager of Renault Portugal.  MOBI.E Tech is actively working towards deploying the MOBI.E model and underlying technology in other countries. “We do believe that the creation of an integrated, fully interoperable pan-European charging system, open to multiple energy providers, network charging operators, automobile constructors and other added-value service providers, will be one of the key challenges to the adoption of EVs on a massive scale.

MOBI.E Tech software platform was architected from the beginning to support such a multiple-entity complex environment”, said Fernando Baptista, General Manager of MOBI.E Tech. The LOI follows the Agreement signed between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Portugal in 2008 for the implementation of a nationwide electric mobility program in the country. The agreement calls for 1,300 vehicle charging points by 2011 and the supply of electric vehicles by the Renault-Nissan Alliance, starting with the Nissan LEAF in December 2010.

The Master will feature three versions of the 2.3 dCi unit, with power output of 100 hp, 125 hp and 150 hp. The engine will power other Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicles in the future. Based on the 2.0 [...]]]> Renault has fitted it’s new large van ( the master) with an all new engine, the 2.3 dCi diesel. 

The Master will feature three versions of the 2.3 dCi unit, with power output of 100 hp, 125 hp and 150 hp. The engine will power other Renault-Nissan Alliance vehicles in the future. Based on the 2.0 dCi (M9R) available on the Laguna and Espace, this engine will replace Renault’s 2.5 dCi (G9U) and four-cylinder 3.0 dCi diesel (ZD30)1. Renault is thus pursuing its downsizing strategy of reducing engine displacement – and, hence, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption – while maintaining performance. 

On the all New Master, the 2.3 dCi engine replaces the 2.5 dCi unit on front-wheel drive models and the 3.0 dCi unit on rear-wheel drive vans. The new engine boasts reduced consumption (by 1 liter/100 km on average and by up to 2.7 liters/100 km on rear-wheel drive models) and lower CO2 emissions (down by an average 10%), together with 30 Nm more torque and the best cost in use in its category. 

The new 2.3 dCi engine will help to reduce cost in use for New Master. In addition to reduced consumption, it benefits from longer servicing intervals, every two years or 40,000 km instead of every 30,000 km for the current 2.5 dCi. The new powerplant is also equipped . Not to be confused with the V6 dCi, which also has a 3-liter capacity. This six-cylinder unit fitted on high-end passenger cars will continue to be available on Laguna. 

The vehicle utilizes a timing chain, which means the timing belt does not have to be replaced every six years. New Master’s Total Cost of Ownership has fallen by €1,800 on average over 150,000km (or four years, whichever comes first), for a monthly saving of €37 (based on a pre-tax diesel price of €0.87/litre). 

This performance has been accomplished through reduced engine displacement and a new injection system. The 2.3 dCi takes the technical base of the Renault-Nissan Alliance 2.0 dCi, a unit renowned for its comfort in use, robustness and reliability. Capacity has been changed to 2.3 liters by increasing the diameter of the cylinders and piston travel. The new engine is also equipped with latest-generation seven-hole injectors. 

The versatile 2.3 dCi can be fitted on all versions of New Master and comes in front-wheel drive (cross-wise architecture) and rear-wheel drive (lengthwise) versions. 

Renault has chosen to produce the engine at Cléon in France. The plant, which also produces the high-end 2.0, 2.0 turbo petrol engines and 1.9 dCi and V6 3.0 dCi diesels, along with 5- and 6-speed manual gearboxes, has extensive know-how in powertrain production. 

The Cléon plant has flexible production lines, with the same line able to produce the 2.0 dCi and 2.3 dCi engines. Renault has implemented the very latest production techniques such as kitting/picking and strike zones, which make the plant more competitive on quality, costs and lead times. 

As a reminder, Cléon will also begin production of the 1.6 dCi (R9M) in 2011, replacing the current 1.9 dCi. This engine will reduce CO2 emissions by 30 g/km and fuel consumption by 20%.

Source: Renault

The letter of intent signed today in Reunion by the [...]]]> In the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Renault, EDF, GBH (Groupe Bernard Hayot), Total Réunion, GE Money and the GERRI agency today signed a letter of intent on the experimentation of 50 electric vehicles in Reunion together with battery charge infrastructure powered mainly by renewable energies.

The letter of intent signed today in Reunion by the six partners mentioned above, under the patronage of Nicolas Sarkozy, marks their commitment to the VERT project (Electric Vehicle for a Technological Reunion), a principal component of the GERRI program (Grenelle Environment Forum in Reunion – Succeeding in Innovation).

The document establishes the framework of an experiment to test electric vehicles and the corresponding charge infrastructures powered by dedicated renewable energy sources (notably photovoltaic). The idea behind the project is to demonstrate that the overall CO2 performance of the electric vehicles in Reunion is superior to that of today’s thermal combustion and hybrid vehicles.

The purpose of the VERT program is to test the implementation of a network of charge infrastructures sized in number and charge technique (normal or fast) to meet the mobility needs of a territory with a limited geographical area. VERT is also an opportunity to test specific electric mobility offers aimed at company or government vehicle fleets and at individual customers.

Reunion is a French island of about 800,000 population located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about 200 kilometres (120 mi) south west of Mauritius, the nearest island. Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas départements of France. Like the other overseas departments, Réunion is also one of the twenty-six regions of France (being an overseas region) and an integral part of the Republic with the same status as those situated on the European mainland. Réunion is an outermost region of the European Union and, as an overseas department of France, is part of the Eurozone. Due to its location in a time zone to the east of Europe, Réunion was the first region in the world where the euro became legal tender

Lessons learned from the project could be applied to countries or regions with similar electric systems. The French Environment and Energy Management Agency, ADEME, will be submitting a file on the VERT project at an upcoming call for expression of interest (EOI).

Renault and Athlon have agreed to offer their customers innovative solutions developed jointly and involving the staff and networks of both partners. Athlon supports Renault’s EV project. Constituting a clean means of transportation, electric [...]]]> Renault and Athlon Car Lease International have announced their cooperation in the joint delivery of Electric Vehicle (EV)-solutions to their mutual clients.

Renault and Athlon have agreed to offer their customers innovative solutions developed jointly and involving the staff and networks of both partners. Athlon supports Renault’s EV project. Constituting a clean means of transportation, electric vehicles are providing an increasingly attractive solution to changing current mobility requirements. According to Renault research, 80% of all Europeans currently travel less than 60 kilometers per day. Athlon’s and Renault’s partnership aims at making zero-emission vehicles available to as many people as possible,starting in 2011.

As part of its CSR strategy, the Dutch based leasing company, Athlon Car Lease International has developed the 5-step Sustainable Mobility Plan in which it is taking the first step to becoming a provider of mobility services. Part of the 5-step Sustainable Mobility Plan is Athlon’s development program “CHARGED” for EV’s. “CHARGED” will help us creating a new business model in the new EV value chain enabling new values for both cars and batteries, infrastructure and developing a one-stop-shop for our customers and end-users. It is in Athlon’s interest to cooperate with all stakeholders within the new EV-domain.

Commenting on the cooperation, Hans Blink, President of Athlon Car Lease International, says:

“we have noticed a broad interest among our clients to experience and get involved in EV driving. Renault is the first OEM that will have a full range of EV’s available in the near future and therefore we are happy to collaborate with and receive support from Renault. By joining efforts in our common interest in the EV demand, we aim to provide our customers with end-to end solutions in EV driving.

In July of this year, [...]]]> The Renault-Nissan Alliance has announced the location for the planned battery production site in Portugal. The new plant, which will manufacture advanced lithium-ion batteries, will be located at the Renault CACIA (Companhia Aveirense de Componentes para a Indústria Automóvel) industrial complex located in Aveiro, about 250km north of the capital, Lisbon.

In July of this year, Nissan confirmed its intention to invest into a production plant to supply batteries for electric vehicles to be produced by the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Construction of the plant will start in 2010 with production commencing in 2012. Projected annual capacity is 50,000 units.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates said:

 “After becoming a leading country in renewables, Portugal aims being a pioneer in electrical mobility as it is developing a nationwide charging network for EVs. The battery factory of the Renault-Nissan Alliance reinforces Portugal’s role as a place to research, produce and test components and solutions for EVs.”

Carlos Ghosn chairman and CEO of the Renault-Nissan Alliance said:

“We have been consistently impressed with the forwardlooking and proactive attitude of the Portuguese government towards the introduction of mass-marketed zero-emission vehicles. Our ability to make this investment utilizing the Renault CACIA facility makes this a win-win for Portugal and for the Alliance.”

Under the agreement with the Government of Portugal, Nissan will invest over €160 Million in the new facility and directly create 200 new jobs at the plant.

This investment follows the announcement in November 2008 that Portugal will work with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to implement a zero emission mobility program from 2010. Within this plan, the Alliance will supply its electric vehicles from January 2011, and the Portuguese government will leverage an extensive network of 1,300 planned recharging stations that will be installed across the country over the coming two years.

Hideaki Watanabe, Alliance Managing Director of the Renault-Nissan zero emission business had this to say;

“Among the world’s automakers, Renault and Nissan are unique in our strategy to create a network of battery production facilities,”  “Portugal joins a growing list of countries making significant commitments to the reality of zero-emission mobility.”

The Alliances Electric Car Programs The Renault-Nissan Alliance – the world’s third largest automotive group by volume – is committed to being a leader in zero-emission mobility. Starting with the Nissan LEAF in late 2010, the Alliance has already announced plans for seven electric vehicles to be mass marketed under the Renault, Nissan and Infiniti brands. In addition to Portugal, the Alliance has also confirmed battery production locations in France, Japan, the US and the UK.

Unveiled as Fluence Z.E. Concept, the electric vehicle (EV) will be produced on the same production line as the fuel-powered versions of Fluence. As at Maubeuge, where the Group will produce electric [...]]]> Renault has decided to manufacture the electric version of Fluence at the OYAK-Renault Bursa plant in Turkey, with production to start in first-half 2011.

Unveiled as Fluence Z.E. Concept, the electric vehicle (EV) will be produced on the same production line as the fuel-powered versions of Fluence. As at Maubeuge, where the Group will produce electric and fuelpowered Kangoos, this option will limit the entry ticket of the program and ensure a quick industrial start, while ensuring top-level quality.

Producing the future EV at Bursa also allows Renault to benefit from the site’s excellent performance on quality, cost and lead times, along with local sourcing. As a result, the Group will be able to market the zero-emission sedan at the same attractive price as the combustion models.

Scoring high on elegance and comfort, Fluence is a midsize three-volume sedan aimed at strengthening Renault’s international presence. Owners of the electric model will have three battery charge options: standard charge, rapid charge, and ‘QuickDrop’ battery exchange. Renault will launch the Fluence EV first in Israel and Denmark, followed by other countries, from the first half of 2011.

Renault has now revealed the four production sites for its future EV range. The city car previewed by Zoé Z.E. Concept and the electric Kangoo will both be produced in France, at Flins and Maubeuge, respectively. The vehicle based on Twizy Z.E. Concept will be built in Valladolid, Spain.

Valladolid was selected for [...]]]> Renault, which already produces Mégane Hatchback, Mégane Estate, Modus and Grand Modus exclusively in Spain, has chosen to manufacture the future electric vehicle (EV) based on Twizy Z.E. Concept at Valladolid, 150 km north west of Madrid. Compact, nimble and practical, the future zeroemissionEV will fully meet all sustainable urban mobility needs.

Valladolid was selected for its expertise and performance in compact car production. It currently produces Modus and Grand Modus and a share of New Clio output. The Group also chose to produce its future EV in Spain as close as possible to the sales market, namely Western Europe, in order to simplify logistics.

Production will start in 2011.

After France, with the announcement of the production of the future city car based on Zoé Z.E. Concept, it is now the turn of Renault’s Spanish production base to prepare for the industrialization of a zeroemission model.

Renault also announced last month that Valladolid would be allocated production of a thermal engine in2012 and a fuel-combustion vehicle in 2013.