With an annual production capacity of 150,000 units, the Zoe will be the volume model among Renault‘s four-model EV range, which includes the Kangoo van, the Fluence and scooter-style Twizy.

When the Renault Zoe electric vehicle will be launched, in the second half of this year, the French automaker expects the electric hatchback to far outsell the Nissan Leaf EV in Europe.

Thierry Koskas, Renault‘s EV project director said recently:

“The Zoe is the first electric car in Europe that will address the needs of the mass-consumer market. The Zoe is a next-generation car. It is launching two years later than the Leaf. The Zoe will benefit from technologies that the Leaf does not have, such as a braking energy-recovery system, a heat pump, and a special series of energy efficient tires. The EV market does not really yet exist so creating that market takes time.”

The Renault Zoe will have a starting price of

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The Renault Foundation is proposing financing for holders of a two-year diploma in further education to complete a training course in future professions in the electric transport and automobile sector.

Organized on a work-study basis at the Mantes IUT technology institute west of Paris, the professional diploma in “Electric Vehicle and Electro-mobility” can be obtained at the company of the student’s choice.

Registration is open through June 16, 2012 on the IUT website at www.iut-mantes.uvsq.fr. The first class of 20 students will start up in September.

Trainees will be supported and coached all year long by Foundation members.

The Renault Foundation is launching a new training course for students with two years’ further education in partnership with the IUT technology institute in Mantes: the first professional diploma on eco-mobility.

The objective is to finance a training program for students on work-study programs to enhance their employability and prepare them for mid-manager job positions in the following fields: electric vehicle design, production and after-sales service; onboard IT systems; charging infrastructure.

Hélène Mairesse, the deputy director of the Renault Foundation said:

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Renault launched ZOE at the Geneva Motor Show.

After the Fluence sedan, Kangoo van and Twizy city car, the final model in its four-car Z.E. electric vehicle range is Renault ZOE, a B-segment electric car, similar in size to a Ford Fiesta.

Renault ZOE has been designed as an electric car from the start (unlike Kangoo and the Fluence which are based on combustion engine variants), making it the most advanced vehicle in the Z.E. range.

The ZOE uses an 89 horsepower electric motor, with an 84 mph top speed limit to preserve range. With a lower weight than the Fluence, Renault ZOE has a range of 130 miles.

The lights are jewel-like and with a blue tint that’s becoming familiar on electric models from several companies. The rear lights in particular are striking, with a subtle diamond shape that echoes Renault‘s logo. The charging port is hidden at the back of the electric Renault.

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