Renault ZOE is one of the most successful electric cars in the European market. This small utility saw the light for the first time in 2012 and led the sales of electric vehicles in the old continent in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 2018 and 2019, on the other hand, it was the second best-selling model after the Nissan LEAF (2018) and the Tesla Model 3 (2019) despite its seniority.
Late last year, Renault launched a deep restyling of its model. In addition to a modernized exterior design, a higher-quality interior and the latest technological equipment, the ZOE has received new mechanics. In addition to the previous R110 108 hp engine, it is now also available with the new R135 135 hp, with which the performance of the vehicle improves significantly.
Besides, its battery now has a capacity of 52 kWh, which allows it to reach an autonomy of about 395 km under the European WLTP homologation cycle. Thanks to this improvement, the ZOE has become one of the electric cars with the best price/autonomy ratio in the market. On the other hand, for the first time, it has fast-charged in direct current (CCS Combo 2 format) at 50 kW optional, maintaining the load in alternating at 22 kW (one of its strong points).
Despite this profound renovation, the Renault ZOE is still a very veteran model. Although it still maintains the right level of sales due to its broad autonomy and attractive price, it seems clear that it will not hold on the market for many more years. Now, a series of rumors about his replacement has begun to leak into the press.
According to L’Argus, Renault is currently working on two electric SUVs based on the CMF-EV modular platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. One of them will be a C-SUV derived from the Nissan Ariya (initially this model will arrive in 2022), while the second will be a B-SUV that will replace the current ZOE within the Renault electric range.
The date of arrival of the new Renault B-SUV is not yet precise, although taking into account the short time that the restyling of the ZOE has been on sale, we bet on 2022/2023. The transformation of the ZOE into an SUV will allow Renault to offer a more attractive model from an aesthetic point of view without especially changing the approach of the current vehicle, as the ZOE already has a height equivalent to that of a Captur due to the bass batteries.