2 EVs from Renault, call for R&D policy

NEWDELHI: THE COMPANY ALSO SHOWCASED ITS FORMULA ONE CAR R.S. 17, MADE BY THE RENAULT SPORT FORMULA ONE TEAM

Renault India Pvt. Ltd, the maker of mini car Kwid, on Wednesday showcased the Zoe, a mini electric car, and the Trezor, a two-seater electric supercar.

Managing director and chief executive at the Indian unit Sumit Sawhney said “transformation towards electric vehicles (EVs) is inevitable in India”, while conceding that the company is “awaiting a government policy on research and development before taking a long-term strategic decision.”

Stating that India will be the third largest automotive market in the world by 2021, he said the company is serious about EV market in India which will play a key role in developing competence and knowledge about advanced and affordable EVs, and for that they would leverage the technology centre in India.

Renault is the EV leader in European markets, he added, while describing the company as “well-poised, optimistic and excited for its India operations.

Citing an increasing need for innovation and disruption at the India unit, the company built design centres in Mumbai and Chennai in 2017 to recruit and promote local talent, said Laurens van den Acker, chief designer of the Trezor and senior vice-president, corporate design, Groupe Renault.

The company also showcased its Formula One car R.S. 17, the first car put together from scratch by the Renault Sport F1 Team, Renault India said.

A two-seater electric coupe, TREZOR is 4.7-metre long, 2.18-metre wide and 1.08-metre high. On the other hand, The ZOE e-Sport Concept is a fully electric concept made from lightweight carbon fibre, which helps to ensure outstanding acceleration from standstill to 100kph in just 3.2 seconds.