White Van Man Reviews: Renault Kangoo ZE
THE main problem I seem to have with batteries is finding the right ones when the remote control for the telly packs in. So when it came to having a look at the Renault Kangoo ZE, I thought I better stock up Duracell. Don’t worry – that’s isn’t how it works (and your mobile phone charger won’t do the job either).
Renault are going all out to push their new range of electric vehicles and they’ve taken the bold step of launching the first electric light commercial vehicle. It’s not a bad move, considering the cost of petrol these days and, with many small businesses feeling the pinch, it might just be another way to cut costs in the long range. I say in the long run, because these little vans don’t come cheap.
The basic van is £16,900 and prices range from that to £17,900 for the Maxi van and £18,900 for the five-seat crew van. Now, this is where it gets a bit complicated so try and keep up. Renault won’t sell you the battery, instead they insist you lease for a monthly fee.
The amount you pay each month depends on how far you drive in each month and how long you take the lease out for. The theory is that the technology behind electric vehicles is still quite new, so the manufacturer wants to guarantee they keep your van running. It’ll also protect you against wear and tear in the long run, which is still something that not a lot is known about.
So if you are in the market for a ZE van, make sure you do your sums right. You’ll also need to factor the cost of your van insurance – and you’re already in the right place for that. Electric vehicles are still relatively new to the UK market and finding cheap electric van insurance quotes can seem tricky.
You’re probably best giving us a call directly to discuss your needs with our expert team.
Electric Commercial Vehicles – The silent revolution
The Renault Kangoo ZE looks just like its petrol counterpart, but you’ll notice the one main difference when you start driving it. No internal combustion engine means no noise.
The ZE really is the quietest of drives and although it might not offer a spectacular driving experience, the ease with which you can just jump in and set off is a big plus. It can have the feel of driving an automatic but if you are whizzing this small van around the city, that’s no bad thing either.
The urban setting is the place Renault feel you’ll get the most from this van. The range is put at 106 miles before the battery will need charged and if you’re spending most of your day zipping around the streets, that should be okay.
The regenerative braking can add 20 miles onto the range as it gradually acquires energy as you slow down. However, sporty driving and using the air conditioning will eat into that range though, by up to 50 miles.
So, it rewards an efficient drive and the battery which powers the 44kw electric motor (equivalent of about 60bhp) takes between six and eight hours to recharge. You can just plug it into a normal three-pin socket although Renault recommend you install a charging station, priced at about £1000.
It can be a bit weird at first setting off in the Kangoo ZE because there is no noise. It starts much like an automatic, but when you’re driving, you really have to remember that pedestrians and cyclists can’t hear you either. For this reason, it’s uncertain yet whether electric vehicles will lead to lower van insurance quotes or not.
Green White Van Man
Yes, they are environmentally friendly, but there are safety issues to take into account. The regenerative braking is also something most petrol heads won’t be used to. Once you take you foot of the, eh, ‘gas’, the van will gradually slow down instantly, so you may get through a whole day without putting your foot on the brake pedal – well, until you’re parking it up at least.
This adds to the battery range, but because there is no halfway house between braking and accelerating, it can be a bit frustrating at times, especially if you’re slowing down to look for a delivery address. The battery will be under strain if you are traveling longer distances, but speed isn’t sacrificed and the engine has plenty of poke when needed, plus you won’t have all that stressful noise that can splutter out of diesel engine when you’re coaxing it along.
Electric or not, one of the main selling points of a light commercial vehicle is the payload. The ZE has the same 650kg payload as the conventional Kangoo model. The batteries are stored under the floor, so don’t impact on the room inside the van.
Of course, an electric van isn’t going to suit every business. But for companies who provide courier services in a city centre or deliveries to the same regular places, it’s ideal. The range is generous and overnight recharging sure beats filling up on the forecourt.
The Kangoo ZE may initially seem pricey, but running costs will rival any small diesel van you might have. Getting an online quote for van insurance will see those costs come down too and Renault themselves prepared to offer special offers on insurance for their electric models such as a 20% discount on cover from their diesel vans.
With electric vehicles come different kinds of problems and Renault’s own breakdown cover will include your battery running flat (it’s worth noting that running out of petrol or diesel isn’t covered in a similar way). This is a bold and ambitious move from Renault and the jury may still be out on electric cars. But the Kangoo ZE could spark a new way of thinking when it comes to commercial vehicles.