Renault expects the range of its electric vehicles to be up to 150-miles by 2015, an increased range of 30 per cent compared with current figures.
The company estimates that the boost in range should be achievable thanks to a chemical ‘enhancement’ to its lithium-ion battery pack, due in 2015.
Renault’s next step is experimenting with all new chemistry, possibly zinc-air or zinc-silver, due in around 2025, which could boost EV range to 300 miles between charges.
The Renault Zoe, which will make production in 2012, features a lithium-ion battery pack that powers a 79bhp, 164lb ft electric motor to provide a 100-mile range. It can get from 0-62mph in 8.1sec and reach a top speed of 84mph. Read more about the Renault Zoe EV
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Re: Renault: ‘150-mile EVs by 2015’
I wonder if manufacturers are looking to more readily available mineral deposits other than the very limited supplies of lithium located in South America, mainly Chile.
This might help to reduce costs?
Re: Renault: ‘150-mile EVs by 2015’
The advent of lithium ion battery technology brought on the feasibility of the EV, at least for short range commuting applications. Now it seems that metal-air batteries will supercede all this. They were also mentioned by Toyota in the recent news item about the electric IQ. As I mentioned there, I am really looking forward to Autocar doing a comprehensive article about all these developments. As always with the motor industry: interesting times.