Renault has announced that its electric car strategy has begun. Production of the Kangoo Rapid Z.E. is set to start next year, with further models to follow shortly afterwards. The manufacturer is planning to make 10% of its sales in electric vehicles by 2020. Three modes of battery recharging are planned: the full ‘overnight’ charge, the ‘quick’ half hour recharge, and a battery replacement system (Quickdrop), whereby drivers go to specially equipped service stations and have their ‘flat’ battery replaced by a fully charged one, automatically and in the same time as it takes to fill up with petrol. Renault is also scheduling battery production in Europe in three years time, and a leasing system for the batteries, which are said to have a capacity to be recharged up to 3,000 times.

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