Rental firm Europcar Mobility Group has added 85 Renault Zoe electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet.
Some of the vehicles will be made available through the company’s E-Car Club car sharing scheme. The majority are heading to a new expansion in North Solihull, with the cars to be stationed at nine locations in residential areas.
They will be available to hire by customers who book online, and can then access the cars by scanning their membership card against the windscreen and unplugging them from the onsite charger.
The rest of Europcar’s new Zoes will be used to support its deliver and collect service in major cities.
The new Zoes follow the 55 that Europcar previously introduced for deliver and collect operations in 2016.
Europcar managing director Gary Smith said: “Since adding the Renault Zoe to our deliver and collect logistics fleet, we’ve found its usability has been a big plus for our operation.
“A vast array of our drivers use them, many of which have never experienced an electric vehicle before.
“The simplicity means that they can quickly familiarise themselves with the car. The instant response and fully automatic transmission also adds to a fuss-free driving experience in the often-congested urban areas in which our Zoes operate.
“But more importantly they are playing a pivotal role in helping us to lower our carbon footprint and reach our goal of 5% of our entire UK vehicle fleet being pure electric by 2020.”
E-Car Club managing director Patrick Cresswell said: “The Renault Zoe has always worked well and been popular with our members. It’s also been a great way to introduce the public to affordable, all-electric motoring.
“Our customers especially like how easy it is to use and, as we continue to launch in new areas, it’s highly likely that we will be adding even more to our fleet.”
