Renault Fluence ZE – Into the Wild

The Fluence ZE was presented in 2009, although we were only able to hit the road with the final production version in 2011. This makes it definitely a youngster for this section, but for an EV it is already very old. The Fluence also exists without the addition of ‘ZE’ – Zero Emission – but that car was never delivered in the Netherlands. In short, it is the sedan version of the Mégane III, although the Fluence also received an almost completely unique body in addition to its own name.

The electric version is even more unique. For example, the car has a different nose and a more modern-looking butt than its petrol-fired brother, with larger and blue-tinted rear lights. However, the biggest difference only becomes apparent after a second look: the Fluence ZE has a longer butt than a regular Fluence. That was necessary, because the battery pack was behind the back seat of this car.

Then you know: that battery is not too big. Renault was allowed to promise a range of 185 kilometers from the rather mild NEDC cycle at the time, but in our first real practical test we did not get further than 78. Remember those EVs from the very beginning… With an empty battery you could theoretically switch at Better Place, according to a concept that is now being revived by Nio. However, Better Place itself soon left for better places, so this white Fluence has probably had to make do with its original battery for a long time. What would be left of that range?

The limited usability also explains why the Fluence ZE is already rare enough for a spot in ‘In the Wild’. This copy has survived nicely, all these years. That did not go completely without a hitch, by the way, because there is an ugly dent in the passenger door. The Dutchman who bought this car new can safely be called an EV pioneer. The car already received its registration in January 2012, which presumably means that it was ordered soon after the market introduction.