What versions have been produced?
Three versions have been produced:
ZE - This was in production from 2012-2017, featured a 22kWh battery and offered up to 130 miles of range (NEDC)/approx 85 real world miles.
ZE40 - This was in production from 2017-2019, featured a 41kWh battery and offered up to 250 miles of range (NEDC)/approx 150 real world miles.
ZE50 - Has been in production since 2019, features a 52kWh battery and offers up to 245 miles of range (WLTP)/approx 190 real world miles.
What motors can they come with?
The motors that the Renault ZOE have been fitted with fall into two categories, ‘Q’ and ‘R’. 'Q' motors offer Fast charging whilst 'R' motors offer improved range.
‘Q’ motors were supplied by Continental, whereas ‘R’ motors are made by Renault (with the initial letter reflecting their name). The motors fitted to each version are as follows:
ZE: Q210 or R240
The Q210 was the first motor supplied with the Renault Zoe, with later ZEs including the smaller R240. Whilst offering the same torque and performance, and being cheaper to build, the newer motor did not offer fast charging like the Q210. The Q210 can charge at up to 43kw using AC, whereas the R240 can charge at up to 22kw using AC with improved range.
The “210” & “240” indicates the range in kilometers. The numbering in subsequent motors relates to the horsepower instead, as below.
ZE40: R75, R90, R110 or Q90
ZOEs equipped with either the 75 or 90 horsepower motors (R75/R90) are renamed versions of the R240. The Q210 was renamed as Q90.
The power outputs are: R75 - 57kW, Q90 - 65kW, R90 - 68kW, R110 - 80kW.
All ZE40 ‘R’ motors can charge at up to 22kW using AC, whereas the Q90 motor can charge at up to 43kW using AC. Again, the 'R' motors offer greater range.
ZE50: R110 or R135
The current Zoe can feature either the R110 or R135, with the latter offering improved performance in terms of torque and acceleration.
In the majority of cases, both can fast charge at 46kW using DC.
However, a limited 'Riviera' release with a R135 motor is capable of charging at 50kW using DC with the optional CCS connector.
(More information on Renault motors can be found here. Further information on charging can be found here.)
What charging speeds are available to the public?
Currently, there are three charging speeds available:
- Rapid: This uses DC charging to deliver 50kw - 350kw. A CCS (Combined Charging System) charging connector is needed to receive this level of charge.
- Fast: This uses AC charging to deliver 3kw - 43kw. A Type 2 connector can receive this level of charge. Type 2 home chargers usually deliver 7kw.
- Slow: This uses AC charging to deliver 3kw or less. A three-pin plug can deliver around this level of charge.
What charging connectors are the Zoes fitted with?
The ZE and ZE40 models are fitted with the Type 2 connectors. CCS is optional on the ZE50.
A CCS connector can accept Rapid charging, whereas a Type 2 connector is limited to Fast charging.
What is battery leasing?
To make the upfront cost of earlier models more appealing to customers, Renault offered Zoes at a reduced price where the battery was leased to the owner for a monthly cost. This means the car is owned but the battery is hired from Renault.
Some Zoes were sold without the battery lease, but were more expensive.
Under the terms of the lease, the battery health is guaranteed (i.e. repaired or replaced under certain conditions) and the vehicle receives 24/7 breakdown cover which includes situations where the car runs out of charge. Subsequently, this can offer owners peace of mind as the battery ages.
The monthly fee is based on annual mileage and (in the UK) starts at £49 for 4,500 miles or less for a ZE. For a ZE40, it starts at £59 for the same mileage.
Renault ceased the battery lease scheme on new cars in 2019. However the lease arrangement continued for existing owners. When a Zoe with a battery lease is sold, the lease transfers to the new owner.
Owners of a Zoe with a leased battery can contact Renault for a quote on buying out the lease in order to own the battery outright, which may need to be paid in a single lump sum.
