Yeah they've been hitting the TV with big one minute long commercials for the last week, so they must be serious!! They are doing this in collaboration with Nissan so you will probably be getting the technology under a Nissan badge in the US & Canada? Check out the following link; Electric car, zero emission vehicle - Renault ZE
I think the next year or two is going to see a few more electric vehicles hit the road, in the US and here in Europe. Vauxhall (Opel in Europe) which is GM's UK company have just released their version of the Chevy Volt, but under the name Vauxhall Ampera and in RHD format. It looks like a cross between the US Volt and the Honda Insight, though the specs sound similar to the Volt. I'm still hoping to find more about the plug in Prius due next year, though worry the small range won't make it viable for me, but I guess that depends on the cost of the car.
Well gents I am on the market for a second car to do errands, and the ZOE would be perfect. My cousin is a Renault dealer( I was born and raised in France), and he shall let me know as soon as the new models arrive. Years ago I was a Captain for a car carrier outfit so shipping the car free is no problem. I will wait but it is exiting to see the leaps and bounds. I was not so sure which technology will prevail, but glad to see that after having been killed by GM the electric car is back with a vengeance.
I guess they won't release the Renault to the States as there is no dealer backup but are you able to easily import one from France? I know there are issues with normal cars due to emissions but this car is electric so how would that work?
Cabbie, Obviously I cannot be 100% sure of this and will investigate the options when the automobile will become available. So far as you have suggested emission should not be an issue, and outside of protectionism from the US through car manufacturers lobby Renault, if willing, should be able to distribute their models through the NA Nissan distribution centers. Anyhow those are exiting times.
check out www.vauxhallampera.co.uk for details. You're right though, these are exciting times. So many different vehicles and options coming out in the next year. Some of these new electric cars make the Prius or the Insight almost look outdated. Though they do say the proof is in the pudding.
Cabbie, I went and check the Vauxhall advert and looked at the numbers and said to myself: boy it sounds like the volt!!!, till I saw bottom left the GM logo. My Prius is my halfway house and I agree with you in ten years and perhaps before my prius will be an antique as technology goes. BTW I took a trip to North Carolina last week and stopped in a rest area south of Richmond Virginia, and to my surprise saw the rechargeable area posts for electric vehicles. I even took a picture, but I need to figure out how to upload it. Google Dominion Virginia power, and they have a youtube video of a rechargeable prius using the power posts /home/patrick/Documents/recharging_station.jpg Hence Electric is coming much faster than I thought.
Jam yesterday and jam tomorrow, but never jam today. Wake me when these cars are on dealer lots. Meanwhile I'll just keep driving my garden-pest green three-legged clown car. It's slow, but it's all-electric TODAY. (And has been for over two years.)
