Ease of use and environmental compatibility were key factors in Europcar choosing the Zoe.
14 Sep 2016 | 4249 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Renault has delivered its biggest ever UK order of the all-electric Renault Zoe, with 55 of the innovative supermini having been supplied to Europcar UK for use in the delivery and collection of hire vehicles in major UK cities. Europcar is committed to five per cent of its total UK ...
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Renault has delivered its biggest ever UK order of the all-electric Renault Zoe, with 55 of the innovative supermini having been supplied to Europcar UK for use in the delivery and collection of hire vehicles in major UK cities. Europcar is committed to five per cent of its total UK vehicle fleet being electric by 2020.
With zero emissions in use and offering the benefits of smooth and instant pulling power, the award-winning Renault Zoe is ideally suited to the busy urban-based role supporting Europcar’s Deliver & Collect service.
Ease of use and environmental compatibility were key factors in Europcar choosing the Zoe. The firm’s decision to invest in Europe’s best-selling EV was also influenced by the positive customer feedback it has received from those who have experienced the Zoe through its rental fleet.
In addition to enabling Europcar employees to deliver rental vehicles to customers at their home or workplace, the Renault Zoes will provide support to E-Car Club – the all-electric car club that Europcar has a majority stake in and the acquisition of which represented the first ever exit of a crowdfunded start-up. With E-Car Club attracting more and more private and business customers and working to grow its locations, which span from East London to the Outer Hebrides, the Renault Zoes will ensure that E-Car Club can quickly access additional cars to meet customer demand.
Gary Smith, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group, said: “Our Deliver & Collect service aims to enhance the rental experience for our customers – taking the time and hassle out of collecting a vehicle at the start of the hire and having to go back to our branch at the end of the journey. And the addition of the Renault Zoes at many of our city branches, enabling our employees to get to and from our branches without expending any emissions, makes the Deliver & Collect service all the more environmentally friendly.”
Chris Morris, Managing Director and Co-Founder of E-Car Club, added: “We are delighted to add to our existing fleet of Renault Zoe; a very popular choice amongst E-Car members. This acquisition of vehicles will help support our forthcoming expansions, particularly in Scotland, where we have significant deployment plans within the next six months.
“Our strategic partnership with Renault continues to grow from strength-to-strength, with the Zoe and Kangoo Van Z.E now making up a significant proportion of the E-Car fleet. We look forward to building on this partnership into the future.”
Nick Tame, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that Europcar has chosen the Renault ZOE as the most suitable vehicle to support its collection and delivery service, and also make a significant contribution to meeting its environmental ambitions. The significant size of the order illustrates the rapidly-increasing popularity of the Renault EV range in the UK and the vast appeal of the ZOE’s superb all-round package, which has seen it recognised by What Car? as the ‘Best electric car on sale for under £20,000’ for the last three consecutive years.”
Ben Fletcher, Electric Vehicle Product Manager, Groupe Renault UK, added: “With its exceptional ease-of-use, the Renault Zoe is ideal for its varying roles with Europcar and E-Car Club. As the businesses have already discovered, it’s an immensely simple, relaxing and rewarding car for anyone to drive, with motorists adapting to its advanced technology just seconds after getting behind the wheel. With no gears to worry about and a variety of convenient charging options, it’s simply a case of get in and go with the absolute minimum of fuss.”