Four reasons why you should consider a Renault ZOE
Renault was an early adopter in the electric car market and was among the first companies to offer a fully-fledged electric car. The Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf were pioneers in the first generation of electric cars, offering electric driving experiences ahead of mainstream carmakers. Contributing to the Zoe’s popularity, this made it one of the best-selling electric cars in Europe.
In March 2020, Renault released two new trim levels for the all-electric ZOE: the Iconic and the GT Line. Revamped with the ZE50 battery, both trims have a refreshed design, a bunch of new features, as well as increased range.
In this post, we’ll cover four reasons why you should consider a Renault ZOE and some of the features we think are worth a special mention!
Overview
Real world range | 190 miles
100 Mile Efficiency | 28 kWh
Maximum charging speed | 46 kW
Top speed | 87 mph
Our favourite features | 10″ display with navigation, Rear view parking camera, Wireless phone charging
All the latest tech
The 2022 Renault ZOE offers a brilliant range of tech features. It has a large, 9.3” central tablet-style touchscreen as well as a 10” driver information display. The 10” display contains all the standard driving aids, an eco-meter to encourage more range-friendly driving and will also show GPS directions.
The MYRenault app – available on all cars with the EASY LINK nav pack – also lets you control car settings from a distance. For example, pre-programming the air con before you get in the car, checking battery level and charge status, plan charging during off-peak hours, visibility of the car’s radius on a map… the list goes on!
The EASY LINK system also comes with EV specific functions, for example you’ll be able to see the availability of charging stations in real time. The electric route planner will also put together itineraries that show the most suitable charging points and includes charging stops in the overall travel time.
Extra space for a small EV
The Renault ZOE offers a very decent 338 litres of boot space which expands to an impressive 1,225 with seats folded down. There’s also an optional false floor, so you can hide charging cables and pretty much flat load space when the seats are folded back.
Based on the Renault Clio, the ZOE is the same width but it’s longer and over 10cm taller. With the battery stored under the front and rear seats, the seats are higher than in the Clio, though the ZOE’s height means there’s still decent leg and headroom.
Brilliant driver convenience and smooth driving experience
The Renault ZOE certainly delivers on driving experience, as well as on driver convenience.
There’s a hands-free key card so you just need to approach the ZOE for it to greet you with lights, deploy its mirrors and unlock the doors. And when you’ve got your hands full, the ZOE will lock automatically so you don’t have to faff around. You’ll also benefit from heated seats and a heated steering wheel.
Once you start driving, you’ll notice that there’s very little wind noise thanks to the acoustic windscreen and sound proofing. Though if you’re concerned that pedestrians or cyclists won’t hear you, the ZOE still produces a very audible hum so there’s nothing to worry about.
Plus, there’s two driving modes. A simple push on the e-shifter will put the car into B mode which assists deceleration whenever you aren’t on the accelerator – so you’ll barely need to use the brake pedal. This is a great feature for city driving or in heavy traffic, making your experience out on hectic roads much smoother.
Finally, the ZOE also offers an ECO mode. Using this mode will turn everything off in the vehicle that doesn’t need to be used. Though it’s worth noting that this does affect the throttle response and will make driving the ZOE a little less fun.
Stylish exterior & interior with recycled fabrics
In this revamped version of the ZOE, Renault have opted for high-end, soft touch materials – including fabrics made from recycled seatbelts and old plastic bottles. Plus, there’s an impressive 22.5kg of recycled polymer parts in and around the cabin. All finished with touches of chrome, the ZOE feels a lot classier than its previous version.
The refreshed centre console now has a new electronic gear lever and automatic parking brake which frees up space and doubles the amount of storage available. There’s a small cubby, two cupholders and even space for a smartphone with a wireless charging option.
Could the Renault ZOE be right for you?
With a decent range and spacious interior, the Renault ZOE provides a great small electric car alternative to models such as the Mini E and Peugeot e-208.
If you often find yourself nipping through rush hour traffic on your commute, the Renault could be perfect for you. It’s pretty perky and the tight turning circle makes city navigation a breeze.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Renault isn’t just for rapid trips round the corner; with a full battery that takes 3 hours to charge using a public 22kW charger, that’ll give you around 240 miles of range. A rapid charge to 80% using a 50kWh charger will take 70 minutes on the more powerful model, while a 30-minute charge will give you 90 miles of range. So the Renault ZOE is more than capable of covering almost any kind of road trip.
Finally, it’s also great for those after comfort given its size. The front passenger area is spacious and the boot space also impressive.
Here at elmo, we think the Renault ZOE really is a great all-rounder for an EV of its size. In fact, here’s one of our very own senior fleet specialists, Sian, looking rather pleased with her ZOE! You can also read more about one customer’s experience with the Renault ZOE here.
Which alternatives to the Renault ZOE should you consider?
If you’re wondering if the Renault ZOE could be for you, you might also be interested in checking out these alternatives:
The Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e, for example, are popular choices due to their comfortable and high-tech interior, as well as low wind noise. However, keep in mind that the e-208 has a slightly lower range between charges compared to some other electric cars.
Another option is the glitzy and compact Fiat 500e, which is known for its head-turning design. However, it also has a shorter range than some other electric cars, so be sure to consider your driving needs. If you’re looking for something that offers a bit more range, the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq, and VW ID3 are all worth considering.
The Renault ZOE on subscription
On a subscription with elmo, you can try the Renault ZOE GT Line+ for 60 days and then hand it back with a month’s notice or keep it as long as you like.
Find out if a Renault ZOE would suit your lifestyle
Try our Suitability Tool to find out and if you’re interested in trying a Renault ZOE on subscription, head over to our electric cars page to get started.
FAQs
Is the Renault ZOE worth buying?
As with all EVs, buying depends on your specific driving needs and habits. If you’re looking for an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective option for your daily commute and have access to charging stations, the ZOE may be an excellent choice for you given its relatively long range. However, if you have a limited budget or need a vehicle with more range or cargo space, you may want to consider other options. If you’re not sure whether the ZOE is the right long term option for you, you can drive it on subscription with elmo from as little as 60 days.
Is the Renault ZOE good on motorways?
The Renault ZOE can handle motorway driving, but it’s primarily designed as a city car. It has sufficient power for highways and a comfortable suspension system. However, its range and charging time can be limiting on long-distance trips. The regenerative braking system and responsive steering make for a smooth ride, but it’s important to plan your journey accordingly. So, while it’s not a long-distance cruiser, the ZOE is still adequate on any motorway.
How often do you need to service a Renault ZOE?
Electric cars generally require less frequent servicing than petrol or diesel cars. For instance, Renault claims the ZOE only needs servicing every 18,000 miles, compared to 9,000 miles for its petrol cars. Most car manufacturers also offer service plans for electric vehicles, which simplify the maintenance process. With an elmo subscription, servicing is included in your one monthly payment so you won’t need to do anything extra!
Any Questions?
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Email us at hello@elmodrive.com
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