Currently reading: Renault City K-ZE: production version of budget EV revealed

New urban crossover will go on sale in China this year before being launched in other markets

Renault has revealed its City K-ZE electric compact crossover at the Shanghai motor show ahead of sales starting in China later this year. 

The new model, which is understood to offer a 155-mile range on the NEDC test cycle, was first revealed in concept form at the Paris motor show last year and is a key part of the French’s firm’s plan to dramatically increase its sales in China.

Renault k ze 3

It becomes Renault’s smallest EV, sitting beneath the Renault Zoe, being broadly similar in size to the conventionally powered Twingo, with a wheelbase of 2423mm and a boot capacity of 300 litres.

Inside, the City K-ZE has an 8.0in touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone compatibility.

It offers multiple charging modes, including a fast-charge function that can fill the battery from empty to 80% in 50 minutes.

The City KZ-E will be built in China by eGT New Energy Automotive, a joint venture between the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and Chinese manufacturer Dongfeng.

Renault k ze 1

It's based on Renault and Nissan’s CMF-A platform, currently used on the Indian-market Renault Kwid and Datsun Redi-Go. Renault has previously said the platform will be modified heavily for the City K-ZE, both to accommodate the electirc powertrain and to fit the expectations of differing markets.

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While it will initially be launched in China, Renault says the City K-ZE has been designed to “European quality standards”. It's due to be offered in a number of global markets, including Europe, if it proves a success in China. No decision has been made on where models for Europe would be built, however.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Mikey C 16 April 2019

A compact electric City car

A compact electric City car seems a sure fire winner in this class

androo 16 April 2019

If the price is right...

This could be very successful if it's seriously cheaper than electric cars typically are. To be sold here it'll need to be much safer than the Kwid it's based on, which only gets one star in the crash test, but I'm sure they can do that. It doesn't look quite as cute and simple as the Kwid sadly. Not quite sure how they've made it look a bit too fussy and chintzy.

LP in Brighton 16 April 2019

"Designed to European quality standards"

Is that good or bad? 

On a more serious note, why not market this here as a budget Dacia?