Renault's Shocking E.V Offer!!!

Press Release

25 April 2012

Renault announce attractive EV Offer - 2 years free battery rental, 5 years unlimited warranty

Extended Test Drives Announced – experience Renault Z.E for up to one month and only pay for your charging

Renault has announced an attractive launch offer for the Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E. including two years free battery rental and a five year unlimited mileage warranty. Customers who purchase a Renault Z.E. will also have a free wall box fitted at their home or place of work, your own personal fuel station.

The Fluence Z.E. Expression is retailing from €21,610 and the Fluence Z.E. Dynamique version will start at €22,710, approximately the same as the Fluence Diesel (with government incentive of €5,000). The battery rental starts from €82 (Including VAT) a month Two years free battery rental can save a customer up to €2,300.

The Kangoo Z.E has three versions available in Ireland:
Kangoo Z.E.: price is €16,400 (ex. VAT and including €3,800 Government grant) and battery rental €75 per month (ex. VAT, for a contract of 4 years and mileage of 15.000 km)
Kangoo Maxi Z.E. 2 seats: price is €17,600 (ex. VAT and including €3,800 Government grant) and battery rental €75 per month (ex. VAT, for a contract of 4 years and mileage of 15.000 km)
Kangoo Z.E. Maxi 5 seats: price is €18,200 (ex. VAT and including €3,800 Government grant) and battery rental €75 per month (ex. VAT, for a contract of 4 years and mileage of 15.000 km)


Renault has also launched a new Extended Test Drive Trial, where those interested in purchasing an EV, commercial or passenger, can test-drive the Fluence Z.E. or Kangoo Z.E. for up to one month extended test drive from local dealerships. At the end of the trial, the customer will have the choice to either purchase an Electric Vehicle with 2 Years FREE Battery Rental and 5 years unlimited mileage warranty, or hand back the vehicle to the Dealer.


This fantastic offer is designed to allow potential customers to experience the superior driving pleasure of Renault electric vehicles first hand.

The offer is available for a limited period. Interested customers can contact their local Renault Dealership for further information.

Customers who purchase a Renault electric vehicle will get a free wall box, your fuel station at home, fitted free of charge by the ESB, giving you a further saving of €1,000.

Leonard Hofstadter

They're obviously desperate to drum up a few sales. EVs not selling well, who'd have thought it:pac:?

Wow anyone who purchases a Kango or Fluence will save a fortune compared to petrol or Diesel!

How can they afford to loose this much money ? Or is this a sign that batteries are not costing as much as we thought ?

It's an incredibly brave move, by Renault!

I just hope they apply this offer to Zoe as it would be the better electric car and charge faster from an e.s.b charge point. 1 hr currently and 30 mins to 80% once they upgrade the chargers which is in progress!

captainspeed

captainspeed wrote: »

They're obviously desperate to drum up a few sales. EVs not selling well, who'd have thought it:pac:?

Either that or as I say, batteries have come down, that will cost them untold losses if batteries have NOT come down in price!

Now if they only had quick drop services at every Renault dealer!

Sesshoumaru

While reading any EV thread on here, you would swear most people are completely against EV's. What I will say though is, since I started posting my experiences of EV ownership since April last year, I have received many private messages from people who are very interested in purchasing an EV, but not 100% sure yet.

This is just my opinion, but from talking to people in the street and on Boards, I would say there is a huge interest in owning EV's. There is an initial obstacle to overcome which is that the technology is new to the consumer and people just need a little reassurance and a little more information. This is what Renault are trying to do and I hope the succeed!

OSI

OSI wrote: »

I would be pretty sure this is a loss making exercise and is purely designed to get these cars out on to the road and to start changing the public's perception of electric cars.

I'm intrigued by the one-month test drive though. There has to be some kind for catch here, surely you would have to pay a hefty deposit or something?

No Idea, but I would pay something for the experience for a month!

Can't deny it's a good offer, but I wonder are there mileage restrictions ?

Over 2 years you could save a hefty sum of money, if of course, you are going to be buying a new car in the first place, Just think if a lot of people take up the offer how cheap you can get an E.V in a few years!

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

While reading any EV thread on here, you would swear most people are completely against EV's. What I will say though is, since I started posting my experiences of EV ownership since April last year, I have received many private messages from people who are very interested in purchasing an EV, but not 100% sure yet.

This is just my opinion, but from talking to people in the street and on Boards, I would say there is a huge interest in owning EV's. There is an initial obstacle to overcome which is that the technology is new to the consumer and people just need a little reassurance and a little more information. This is what Renault are trying to do and I hope the succeed!

Well said!

But they will have to succeed by the sounds of that offer!

I would have an e.v in the morning if I could afford it!

BTW how many kms have you on the Leaf now ?

Owen

I have this image after reading the OP of Renault taking a leaf from Ol' Gill's book of desparation :

Sesshoumaru

Deleted User wrote: »

Well said!

But they will have to succeed by the sounds of that offer!

I would have an e.v in the morning if I could afford it!

BTW how many kms have you on the Leaf now ?

24,500 and just had my first service. Will be starting a thread on it soon.

godtabh

What's the story with battery rental?

If you purchase a car you still have to pay €82 a month in rental? I know its free with this offer.

So you dont actually own the battery?

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

24,500 and just had my first service. Will be starting a thread on it soon.

What servicing do they need to do on it ?

How long have you had it now ? Do you notice any reduced range ? I would hardly think you have!

Dartz

OSI wrote: »

Yep, you rent the battery from Renault. The idea being that when the battery needs to be replaced (and it will), you don't have to fork out the several grand it's going to cost to replace it.

Like Soda Stream.

It sort of makes sense. But the cost of rental is higher than the cost of the battery?

Owen

Owen wrote: »

I have this image after reading the OP of Renault taking a leaf from Ol' Gill's book of desparation :

people are sceptical of new technology. And most people think they need an electric car with 300 miles range when they rarely need more than 50 a day.

Fine if they want to carry around a very expensive battery for the times they "think" they need it. As I keep saying faster charging is far more important than 300 miles range!

Or keep paying for petrol and diesel.

NIMAN

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

While reading any EV thread on here, you would swear most people are completely against EV's. What I will say though is, since I started posting my experiences of EV ownership since April last year, I have received many private messages from people who are very interested in purchasing an EV, but not 100% sure yet.

This is just my opinion, but from talking to people in the street and on Boards, I would say there is a huge interest in owning EV's. There is an initial obstacle to overcome which is that the technology is new to the consumer and people just need a little reassurance and a little more information. This is what Renault are trying to do and I hope the succeed!

I would never have really considered an EV, mainly due to price and lack of charging points, but I was listening to the head of Nissan Ireland on radio yesterday, and he got me thinking.

Technology is improving, and the running costs he gave sounded very attractive. He mentioned that the range of the battery is now suitable for 80% of motorists. It would certainly suit my daily commute so my interest gained a little momentum, until he said a Leaf costs €30k. For me that's out of reach.

I look forward to reducing prices in the future as I would certainly consider an EV.

godtabh

OSI wrote: »

Yep, you rent the battery from Renault. The idea being that when the battery needs to be replaced (and it will), you don't have to fork out the several grand it's going to cost to replace it.

I assumed that they would needing replacing but didnt think it would be that expensive!

How long do they expect a battery to last?


I would be in favor of getting a EV but couldn't afford it at the moment. I have a diesel that I use for long commutes and the wife uses as part of her daily commute (10K in 3 months) and think that an EV would suit us down to the ground for a second car.

Currently selling our second car as I'll be getting a work one but again if I had a choice and could afford it i'd go for an EV

Mr Benevolent

Sounds like a good deal, restores the savings lost on the battery rental. The extended rental would be fun but I can't do it even if I wanted to - living in an apartment would mean cables draped out the window. Hardly practical.

galwaytt

Deleted User wrote: »

Customers who purchase a Renault electric vehicle will get a free wall box, your fuel station at home, fitted free of charge by the ESB, giving you a further saving of €1,000.

Interesting offer.........def worth thinking about..........

Hold on - you mean the car heretofore did not include a method of charging at home - and you needed to fork out another €1k ??

So, how would you charge it at work, as-is ??

NIMAN

I don't like the idea of paying €22k - €30k for a car, then having to pay 80 odd every month for a battery. This is another thing that will put prospective buyers off.

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

What's the story with battery rental?

If you purchase a car you still have to pay €82 a month in rental? I know its free with this offer.

So you dont actually own the battery?

Yes after the offer you would pay 82 a month for I think 10,000 miles a year ? not sure. But trust me, it works out about the same as getting a real 55mpg tank of diesel, so it won't cost you more than a normal diesel 55 mpg car in the end.

But most people won't get 55 mpg by the time they drive through Dublin or any other town, or for people who do school runs every day, So in reality you would probably save. You would without doubt save a lot of money over the 2 years!

galwaytt

NIMAN wrote: »

I don't like the idea of paying €22k - €30k for a car, then having to pay 80 odd every month for a battery. This is another thing that will put prospective buyers off.

....especially when I'm only doing small mileage....

Sesshoumaru

NIMAN wrote: »

I would never have really considered an EV, mainly due to price and lack of charging points, but I was listening to the head of Nissan Ireland on radio yesterday, and he got me thinking.

Technology is improving, and the running costs he gave sounded very attractive. He mentioned that the range of the battery is now suitable for 80% of motorists. It would certainly suit my daily commute so my interest gained a little momentum, until he said a Leaf costs €30k. For me that's out of reach.

I look forward to reducing prices in the future as I would certainly consider an EV.

It must have been a while ago? The Leaf currently costs 25k



See my thread on the topic

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056608500

I also gave some hard data on how much I drive in one month and how much it cost me. See link to my post #38 in that thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=78173980&postcount=38

Guy:Incognito

NIMAN wrote: »

I don't like the idea of paying €22k - €30k for a car, then having to pay 80 odd every month for a battery. This is another thing that will put prospective buyers off.

I dotn like the idea of paying 22-30k for a car , then having to pay a couple of hundred + a month putting petrol in the thing , but such is life.

OSI

OSI wrote: »

Yep, you rent the battery from Renault. The idea being that when the battery needs to be replaced (and it will), you don't have to fork out the several grand it's going to cost to replace it.

The battery will last longer than most people will keep the car, these are not laptop batteries!

ShadowHearth

OSI wrote: »

Yep, you rent the battery from Renault. The idea being that when the battery needs to be replaced (and it will), you don't have to fork out the several grand it's going to cost to replace it.

Right... What if I manage to bend my brand new electric car around the tree outside dealership. Do I still pay battery rental, or do I pay a few grand to Reno for the battery in my car I newer owned?

Dartz

Dartz wrote: »

Like Soda Stream.

It sort of makes sense. But the cost of rental is higher than the cost of the battery?

Hardly, and Renault are loosing a lot of money until they can make it back over the life of the car.

Confab

Confab wrote: »

Sounds like a good deal, restores the savings lost on the battery rental. The extended rental would be fun but I can't do it even if I wanted to - living in an apartment would mean cables draped out the window. Hardly practical.

Yes but this where the on street charging is being upgraded to 44kw and if you go shopping you might be able to charge, in 30 mins, currently 1 hr. but it would cost you more than charging at home on night saver.

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

I assumed that they would needing replacing but didnt think it would be that expensive!

How long do they expect a battery to last?


I would be in favor of getting a EV but couldn't afford it at the moment. I have a diesel that I use for long commutes and the wife uses as part of her daily commute (10K in 3 months) and think that an EV would suit us down to the ground for a second car.

Currently selling our second car as I'll be getting a work one but again if I had a choice and could afford it i'd go for an EV

As regarding the Renault, who cares how long it lasts ? it's not yours. Technically it should easily last 100,000 miles easily their NMC battery in 2015 should last a lot longer with more range. Ic an see the current batteries last over 150,000 miles, remember these are not Laptop cells!

Matt Simis

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

I dotn like the idea of paying 22-30k for a car , then having to pay a couple of hundred + a month putting petrol in the thing , but such is life.

That comparison is invalid, it would be more inline if you had to rent the petrol tank in a petrol car and pay for fuel.
The Renault deal has you paying rental on the medium you have to pay to charge everyday. Its not like electricity is free and you just rent the battery.

Soarer

galwaytt wrote: »

Hold on - you mean the car heretofore did not include a method of charging at home - and you needed to fork out another €1k ??

Seem to remember something about the first howevermany thousand EV cars sold would get a free home charging point installed. Think it was in partnership with the ESB.

galwaytt

galwaytt wrote: »

Interesting offer.........def worth thinking about..........

Hold on - you mean the car heretofore did not include a method of charging at home - and you needed to fork out another €1k ??

So, how would you charge it at work, as-is ??

You won't need to if it's within range, Zoe when it's released offers the best potential for charging from the esb charge points, as it can charge in an hour from 0 or 30 mins from 50%, when the chargers are upgraded to 44kw it will take 30 mins for 0-80%

Currently the Fluence and Leaf has a 3.3kw charger and will not charge for 7 hours at an on street charger but can fast charge from a 50 kw dc point in 30 mins 0-80% The Leaf charger is being upgraded to 6kw, but renault's charger is by far he best as all the e.s.b have to do is provide the a.c and costs a tiny fraction of the fast dc chargers!

Zoe would be very well worth waiting for.

ShadowHearth

Lads, I am really not being smart, but can anyone explain me the whole battery renting?

So what if in 1 year I decide to sell my electric car? Does the new owner takes over payments? Or do I still have some sort of contract with Renualt?

Or if you write off car. Do you still pay?

I really like idea of electrc car after I heard more about Nissan leaf, but this battery thing is just weird.

NIMAN

NIMAN wrote: »

I don't like the idea of paying €22k - €30k for a car, then having to pay 80 odd every month for a battery. This is another thing that will put prospective buyers off.

Not exactly, if you are going to buy a new car it will make total sense if you want to go electric. As it will cost no more than a car that gets a real 55 mpg per tank!

The 30k Leaf has no battery rental, that's why it costs 30K.

There are many diesel cars costing 20+k to buy new so why not buy electric if it meets your needs range wise, Zoe will have the best range of them all, rumours of a real 120 miles, we will see!

Renault will be making their own batteries in Europe in 2015, they are investing several million in the factory!

The leaf will be built in the U.K along with the batteries from 2015 reducing the cost.

Sesshoumaru

galwaytt wrote: »

Interesting offer.........def worth thinking about..........

Hold on - you mean the car heretofore did not include a method of charging at home - and you needed to fork out another €1k ??

So, how would you charge it at work, as-is ??

It's not worth €1,000, more like €500. The car uses a J1772 port to charge, you just need a compatible socket on the wall of your home. It's the same type of port as other cars use e.g Ford Focus, Nissan Leaf, Opel Ampera, Mitsubishi i MiEV, Tesla Model S, Fisker Karma, Volvo C30, VW Golf etc etc. It was probably worth a €1,000 over a year ago, but prices are already dropping rapidly and the ESB would buy them in bulk.

Sesshoumaru

Deleted User wrote: »

The 30k Leaf has no battery rental, that's why it costs 30K.

25k

ShadowHearth

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Lads, I am really not being smart, but can anyone explain me the whole battery renting?

So what if in 1 year I decide to sell my electric car? Does the new owner takes over payments? Or do I still have some sort of contract with Renualt?

Or if you write off car. Do you still pay?

I really like idea of electrc car after I heard more about Nissan leaf, but this battery thing is just weird.

The new owner will take out a new lease on the battery, probably the same battery not a new one, I would very much doubt a new battery would be installed. But I can't say for sure!

Your insurance will have to cover the battery.

From a guy in Holland (I think he might work for renault )

In Holland Renault made a document for isurance companies and the rules they must follow to insure a Twizy. Because the battery belongs to RFG (Renault Finance Group) and it states that the battery has to be fully insured at all time and that RFG will always be the benificiary when something happens to the battery. The document even says that the insured value of the battery is 3800 euro's and the write off is 10% per year.

You can find the Dutch document here: http://nivre.nl/userfiles/downloads/Flits%20januari%202012%20Renault%20ZE%20batterijverzekering.pdf

Free translation with google:
Information for insurance companies -insurance Introduction HE battery from Renault in November 2011 introduced a period of 1 year 4 electric cars on the Dutch market.Renault uses the term Z.E. which stands forZero Emission. The motto of Renault is that an electric car should be accessible to everyone!The Z.E. Renault business model is characterized by the unbundling of the car and the battery. The battery remains during the economic lifetime ownership of RenaultFinancial Services (RFS). Customer benefit is that the initial investment is low and monthlyrent is paid for the battery. Renault and RFSguarantee the quality of the battery: if by a technical fault, the battery capacity is insufficient, then it is replaced at no charge tothe customer. This business model does haveimplications for the insurance: the batteryshould be ensured, even if she has a different owner than the car. This document describesthe conditions required insurance must complybattery and put the product characteristics of the battery RFS ZE insurance at a glance

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

It must have been a while ago? The Leaf currently costs 25k



See my thread on the topic

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056608500

I also gave some hard data on how much I drive in one month and how much it cost me. See link to my post #38 in that thread.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=78173980&postcount=38

So basically it now costs less than a 2.0 TDI Gold DSG by about 3 k! :eek:

What's that I hear about e.v's being too expensive ?

ShadowHearth

ShadowHearth wrote: »

Right... What if I manage to bend my brand new electric car around the tree outside dealership. Do I still pay battery rental, or do I pay a few grand to Reno for the battery in my car I newer owned?

Your insurance will cover the battery cost of about 10k, but if you wrap it around a tree chances are the battery will be the least effected!

Sesshoumaru

Sesshoumaru wrote: »

25k

Yes I saw that, impressive and hopefully not a limited time offer!

Cheaper than a 2.0 TDI Gold DSG, And costs a tiny fraction to run the Leaf compared to the Golf. Brilliant!

ShadowHearth

Deleted User wrote: »

Your insurance will cover the battery cost of about 10k, but if you wrap it around a tree chances are the battery will be the least effected!

It is really weird. It is like you own the car, but you don't own part of it. I am not sure about second hand sales of this now.

godtabh

Deleted User wrote: »

But most people won't get 55 mpg by the time they drive through Dublin or any other town, or for people who do school runs every day, So in reality you would probably save. You would without doubt save a lot of money over the 2 years!

I get 5.6l/100km (approx 50mpg) doing a daily commute of motorway/some city of about 40km and at least one 100km each way trip per week. Thats in a C4 1.6 hdi

To me that would leave the two cars on par with a day to day cost ie battery rental/fuel.

After reading this thread I am not sure if I would still go for one.

LIGHTNING

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Your comparing apples and oranges

Sorry I was wrong the Golf 2.0 TDI dsg High spec is 31,260 :eek:

The 1.6 TDI 105hp DSG high spec is 28,730. :eek:

It's not comparing apples and oranges it's a car v a car +the Leaf has a higher spec, for instance add remote activation of heating in a golf costs about 1500 Euro's, and about the same in a Passat if the option is even available in Ireland. And you certainly can't remote activate a/c

If I'm buying a car I take specification into consideration and value for money, bear in mind the Golf will cost much more to fuel than the Leaf. In my old A4 I worked out that 600 miles was about 96 Euros at the time and electricity would cost 12-14 Euro's absolute worst case!

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

I get 5.6l/100km (approx 50mpg) doing a daily commute of motorway/some city of about 40km and at least one 100km each way trip per week. Thats in a C4 1.6 hdi

To me that would leave the two cars on par with a day to day cost ie battery rental/fuel.

After reading this thread I am not sure if I would still go for one.

Is that your per tank measurement ? then an Fluence won't cost you any more to run and for the first 2 years rent free would save you a lot.

But if it were me I would wait for Zoe with it's much faster charging from a street charger, longer range. there simply isn't enough fast dc for the Leaf outside of Dublin! Where there are many ac esb chargers. For me to go to Galway and charge while I have a meal is perfect, or to whatever town has a fast charger to do my shopping etc. perfect!

OSI

OSI wrote: »

Cool, except by the time the Golf has to refuel from a full tank, you'll have to have charged the Leaf at least 5 times.

But at the high cost of Diesel, I couldn't give a Shi^

godtabh

Deleted User wrote: »

Is that your per tank measurement ? then an Fluence won't cost you any more to run and for the first 2 years rent free would save you a lot.

But if it were me I would wait for Zoe with it's much faster charging from a street charger, longer range. there simply isn't enough fast dc for the Leaf outside of Dublin! Where there are many ac esb chargers. For me to go to Galway and charge while I have a meal is perfect, or to whatever town has a fast charger to do my shopping etc. perfect!

Pretty much my per tank measurement along with the car trip computer over the last 10k km.

ShadowHearth

ShadowHearth wrote: »

It is really weird. It is like you own the car, but you don't own part of it. I am not sure about second hand sales of this now.

I would kill for a 2nd hand one at a good price! ;)No more ICE for me, the Prius is the last one, guaranteed!

godtabh

godtabh wrote: »

Pretty much my per tank measurement along with the car trip computer over the last 10k km.

Not bad but it doesn't beat my Prius!

mad m

How fast does these electric cars go....

Sesshoumaru

mad m wrote: »

How fast does these electric cars go....

I know the Nissan Leaf can reach an indicated top speed of 167kph. No idea on the Fluence or Zoe.

LIGHTNING

LIGHTNING wrote: »

It is! People keep mentioning this remote heating like its the greatest option in the history of cars. The golf has features and abilities that the leaf doesnt have and vice versa. Get over it!

You get over it, Remote heating was just one example.

The cost to fuel being the biggest advantage.

2nd the lack of maintenance is another!

MuppetCheck

Deleted User wrote: »

You get over it, Remote heating was just one example.

The cost to fuel being the biggest advantage.

2nd the lack of maintenance is another!

Not being able to complete one leg of my bi-daily commute is another major negative.

Also the Leaf is ugly as sin.

And not very enjoyable to drive if you care for that and many do.

A Bluemotion 1.6 TDI Golf is €25,500

If I had the choice between a cheap as chips Leaf to run or a manual Golf Diesel, I know I wouldn't be spending my money on the Golf!