The Heat Is On For Electric Vehicles   

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is involved in the French joint venture company to develop and manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, while a new zero emission car resembles a spa inside and out. CEO Renault Australia is one of the keynote speakers at the nation’s first Electric Vehicle Conference in Brisbane 11 November.

 

What role could electric vehicles play in making the transition to cleaner and greener transport?

That’s a question being asked and answered at Australia’s first annual conference on Electric Vehicles being held in Brisbane on Wednesday 11 November.

 

Conference speakers will not just focus on electric vehicles, but how they could impact the electricity infrastructure, says organiser Philippe Reboul, managing director of RBL Management Consulting. The event has the support of Brisbane City Council, Ergon Energy and other industry players.

 

It will be opened by Michael Choi, Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Trade, and will feature speakers from leading universities, energy and automobile industries, including the CEO of Renault in Australia, Rudi Koenig. Renault-Nissan is one of the leading automobile groups committed to electric vehicles.

 

“Electric vehicles are really entering a new era and starting to have an impact worldwide,” says Mr Reboul.

 

“Now there is the opportunity for Australia to become a front runner. The industry and the government, including utilities, are working hard on developing the right infrastructures and policies, despite the considerable challenges a large penetration of electric vehicles would mean in the short term,” he says.

 

International players like Renault and Mitsubishi, as well as local entrepreneurs like Blade EV and DeepGreen Research will present their vehicles and talk about their products at the conference venue, the Novotel Hotel in the city.

 

Dr Andrew Simpson from Curtin University’s Sustainable Policy Institute will set the scene on electric vehicles; Conal Horgan from University of Technology Sydney will discuss the possibility to use electric vehicles to feed electricity back into the grid, and Dr Peter Pudney from the University of South Australia will talk about the planning required to introduce electric transport.

 

In addition to their role as policy makers, governments and councils play a crucial dual role as fleet and infrastructure owners and operators. They can greatly influence the speed of adoption of electric vehicles and the level of investment in the required infrastructure.

“Electric vehicles will reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuels and decrease urban pollution. They could also be charged on green power and become a driver for more clean energy production in line with Australia’s renewable energy target,” Mr Reboul added.

 

Luke Grana, CEO of ChargePoint Australia will speak about “fueling the electric transportation industry”, while Glenn Walden, General Manager of Ergon Energy will look at the network requirements, and Dr David Finn, Managing Director of Tritium, will consider component technology and interaction with the grid.

 

Electric Vehicle policies adopted and proposed around the world will be explored and explained by Ken Hickson, author of “The ABC of Carbon”.

 

Source: www.evconference.com.au

ZOE Z.E., a 100% electric, zero-emission city car, is for men and women who want to take care of

the environment while taking care of themselves – even behind the wheel.

 

The roof has been designed as an intelligent protective membrane that insulates against heat and cold, optimizes climate control, and recovers energy using honeycomb photovoltaic cells.

 

The car features a shield of polyurethane gel at the front and the back, acting as a second skin that protects vulnerable parts of the body in the event of mild urban impact.

 

ZOE Z.E. boasts the finest in air filtration and purification technology to fully protect the health of

passengers and keep their skin young-looking.

 

Drivers can “fill up” in one of three ways:

_ Standard charge: in 4 to 8 hours, using a recharge socket outside the car

_ Fast charge: in 20 minutes, using the same socket at special charge stations

_ The exclusive “Quickdrop” system, or rapid battery exchange: in 3 minutes at exchange stations

 

Biotherm research teams and Renault engineers and designers have combined their expertise in a

co-innovation partnership.

 

Since the brand was created in 1952, Biotherm research laboratories have developed in-depth knowledge on the cellular mechanisms of the skin, together with proven scientific know-how in the virtues of aromatherapy.

 

For more than 110 years, Renault has developed recognized expertise in the design and approval of equipment for comfort and well-being.

 

Thus, ZOE Z.E. presents all-new benefits for its occupants:

 

1- Hydrated skin: The air conditioning system, generally optimized to respect temperature settings, has been entirely redesigned to keep passengers’ skin hydrated. Occupants benefit from intelligent climate control that keeps the air in the cabin from drying out.

 

2- Pollution protection system: Thanks to a toxicity sensor and cabin-mounted particulate filters that

close air vents if required, ZOE Z.E. passengers travel in a clean atmosphere.

 

3- Active essential oils function: An electric system diffuses essential oils, exclusive active substances

adapted to the needs of the driver: dynamic in the morning, relaxing coming home from work, and

awakening vigilance while driving at night. Developed by Biotherm, they transform the cabin into a “spa” cocoon and contribute to passenger vigilance.

 

The electric vehicle is the breakthrough solution for bringing zero-emission mobility to all. It has

already received worldwide political support, in the shape of tax breaks on CO2 emissions and the

development of infrastructures necessary for electric mobility. As early as 2011, Renault will

launch volume production of a range of electric vehicles accessible to all.

Source:  www.media.renault.com

Paris, November 5, 2009

 

The Renault-Nissan Alliance, the CEA and the FSI sign intent to create a joint venture to develop and manufacture batteries for electric vehicles in France

 

A letter of intent was signed today in Flins between the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the French Atomic

Energy Commission (CEA) and the French Strategic Investment Fund (FSI) to set-up a joint venture

company that would develop and manufacture batteries for electric vehicles, under the patronage of

Christian Estrosi, the French Minister for Industry.

 

Renault, Nissan and the CEA would bring technical expertise and infrastructure support in addition to

an equity investment. Consistent with its mission making long-term investments in companies in order

to boost French competitiveness, the FSI will contribute 125 million euros to the project.

 

In order to complete the financing of the project, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is considering a loan of up to 50% of the 280 million Euro debt financing.

 

The joint venture between Renault, Nissan, CEA and FSI would focus on advanced research,

manufacturing and the recycling of electric vehicle batteries.

 

The joint venture plans to produce batteries from mid 2012 at the Renault Flins plant, located 30km

from Paris. Production capacity is targeted at 100,000 batteries a year. The investment value of the first phase of the project is estimated at 600 millions Euros.

 

Batteries produced by the joint venture would be available for sale to any manufacturer. The Renault-

Nissan Alliance will use its European battery plants in France, the UK and Portugal to supply electric

vehicles built around Europe and Turkey. Renault intends to use the batteries produced at Flins primarily for the all-new electric car that will derive from the Zoe Ze Concept, also to be built at the Flins plant.

The joint venture will have a sustainable approach to its entire operations, including developing technologies to recycle batteries on site.

To date, the French government has created several initiatives towards zero emission mobility including public and private sector company bids on joint purchases of a 100 000 electric vehicles fleet by 2015, consumer incentives of up to €5,000 for the purchase of an electric vehicle (through 2012) and the development of infrastructure through a planned investment of 900 millions Euros financed by the French government.

“Realizing the potential of zero-emission mobility on a mass scale requires unique collaboration between public and private sectors”, said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Renault and Nissan. We welcome the vision and commitment made today by the French government, the CEA and the FSI to invest with the Renault Nissan Alliance in the future of clean transportation.”

Bernard Bigot, Chairman of CEA added, “Bringing its strong know-how in the field of CO2-free energy technologies for a sustainable development, the CEA will be a key contributor for the the R&D programs of the joint-venture. Our partners can count on the full support of the CEA research teams in its challenging ambition to lead the electric vehicle market”.

Gilles Michel, General Manager of FSI said “The FSI’s role is to help stabilize and strengthen the supplier network, in particular through the investment fund FMEA. By participating in a joint venture that holds great potential for the future of the auto industry, the FSI reaffirms its conviction that the industry still has much to contribute to France’s competitiveness.

Source:  www.media.renault.com