The new concept car, Renault K-ZE, has been unveiled and it heralds a forthcoming electric model that is affordable for everyone. The official unveiling of the all-electric version of the Kwid by Renault will happen at the Paris Motorshow 2018. Positioned in the A segment of mini cars, K-ZE is a global vehicle to be first launched in the Chinese market. With its SUV allure, this compact 100 percent electric vehicle features a strong and sporty design. K-ZE has optics and a grille that make it instantly recognisable as a vehicle from the Groupe Renault electric vehicle universe. Another distinguishing symbol: a small flap on the right front fender lifts up to connect the charging station cable.

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With air conditioning, rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, power windows and a central screen with connected navigation and services, K-ZE provides a level of features and specs that enhance the electric driving experience. In terms of safety, K-ZE has driver and passenger airbags, ABS and automatic headlights activation.

As the world’s largest market, China’s electric vehicle development plan is highly ambitious. China has invested heavily in recent years in charging infrastructure and implemented incentive policies to lower the cost of buying electric cars.

“K-ZE is the result of nearly ten years of Groupe Renault experience in the field of electric mobility. This small electric city car illustrates both the Groupe Renault’s know-how and willingness to offer electric vehicles at affordable prices, as well as our ambitions on the Chinese market,” said Emmanuelle Desbrosse, K-ZE Deputy Program Director at Groupe Renault.

With an electrical range of about 250 km New European Driving Cycle(NEDC), K-ZE is very easy to charge because it’s 100 percent compatible with domestic and public outlets in the market for which it’s intended. In rapid charge mode, it recovers 80 percent of its autonomy within 50 minutes. When connected to a Wallbox, the battery can be recharged in less than 4 hours.

K-ZE was designed as part of the joint venture dedicated to the development of innovative and affordable electric vehicles, eGT New Energy Automotive Co. Ltd, the result of a partnership between the local manufacturer Dongfeng and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. K-ZE will be produced in Shiyan, China, on the platform dedicated to entry-level vehicles.

Renault will market this vehicle directly but will also make it available to local car sharing operators – making the K-ZE a car within everyone’s reach, the company said. More than 470,000 electric vehicles were sold in the country in 2017 alone. Chinese authorities expect 5 million electric cars on the country’s roads by 2020.

While Groupe Renault is already the leader in Europe thanks to its range of 4 electric vehicles (ZOE, Twizy, Kangoo Z.E. and Master Z.E.), and present in Korea with the Renault Samsung Motors sedan SM3 Z.E., the launch of a 6th electric model gives a new boost to the Group’s conquest strategy, positioning the brand to benefit from the boom in the Chinese market.