The production Renault Kwid electric variant will retain majority of the design cues from K-ZE concept with an appreciable 250 km range
The 2018 Paris Motor Show saw Renault unveiling the promising K-ZE concept and it was a bit of a surprise. The close-to-production model did give a preview of how an all-electric Kwid hatchback will look like and is claimed to have a range of 250 km on a single charge in the NEDC cycle.
Renault has used the Kwid hatchback as a launch pad for its successful run in the emerging markets including India. It is only logical for the Kwid to spawn an electric variant to sustain its popularity going into future, as the industry transformation towards clean energy mobility is nothing short of rapid in several nations.
It will be an affordable electric hatchback upon launch and is set to enter China, the largest consumer of EVs in the world, before pitched for other markets. Renault did not hide its feelings for the Kwid EV to make its way into India, as the platform used in China can be altered without much hassle for our specific use.
The French manufacturer is taking one step at a time and will gradual expanding the Kwid electric version’s presence with China being at the forefront of its plans. Renault has already made its intentions clear on introducing EVs in India in the near future and under the mid-term ‘Drive the Future’ strategy will see the debut of the brand’s first EV locally by 2022.
Renault’s alliance partner Nissan is pondering over the possibility of its realistic e-power technology for India and its globally best-selling Leaf EV will likely go on sale here this year to rival Hyundai’s electrified Kona. Renault, as an immediate plan, has its eyes set on launching an affordable MPV codenamed RBC and it has been spied testing in production body hinting market entry in H2 2019.
It is no secret that the Chinese government is providing better opportunities for manufacturers in terms of electric mobility solutions compared to India and Renault is focussing on grabbing a good share there before expanding the Kwid EV elsewhere. The production Kwid EV is being tested on Chinese roads already and it will be manufactured by the e-GT New Energy Automotive Co, a joint venture between Nissan and Dongfeng Motor Group.