Plug Pulled as Renault Fluence Z.E. Goes to a Better Place

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

A Renault spokesman has confirmed to Just-Auto that the company has discontinued assembly of the electric version of the Fluence, the Fluence Z.E. The Fluence Z.E. was built in the OYAK-Renault’s plant in the Turkish city of Bursa.

Conventional Fluences will continue to be built at the Bursa plant. Renault had designed the electric Fluence primarily for the Israeli and Danish markets where now bankrupt Better Place had contracted to install national networks of battery swap stations and fast-charging posts. Far fewer recharging locations than planned were ever installed in either country. Better Place filed for bankruptcy last year.

Production of the Fluence Z.E. actually ended last November at the Turkish plant but a variant will continue to be produced in South Koera. RSM, a joint venture between Renault and Samsung, has been producing the Samsung SM3 Z.E. at RSM’s factory in Busan since October 2013.

TTAC Staff
TTAC Staff

More by TTAC Staff

Comments
Join the conversation
 6 comments
  • Schmitt trigger Schmitt trigger on Feb 04, 2014

    What is that white stuff oozing from the rearview mirror? Looks like bird poop runoff.

    • Vulpine Vulpine on Feb 04, 2014

      A poor graphic design, if you ask me. I believe that's intended to represent its eco-friendly efforts because it's only on the door, not the mirror or rocker panel. I have to agree that the look is rather... unfortunate.

  • Vulpine Vulpine on Feb 04, 2014

    Personally, I think that's a mistake on Renault's side. Granted, their contracted charging post installer went bankrupt but rather than abandoning a model they should have contracted with another company to resume installations. Maybe they could work with Tesla to license their Supercharger technology or at least to use a common plug, which would give Tesla an in-road to a new market while letting Renault continue production and sales in known markets.

  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Feb 04, 2014

    Better Place was an interesting idea that was 10 years too late. Just consider how hard it is to achieve a common high-rate DC charging standard, then consider how hard it would be to have mfrs design their cars so your depots can swap their battery packs. This car hitched its ride to a bad business plan, hence this result.

    • Vulpine Vulpine on Feb 04, 2014

      Achieving a high-rate DC charging standard wouldn't be difficult at all; it's just a matter of licensing. Tesla already has that technology on the market and has proven itself with a 3-day all-Supercharger run from Los Angles to New York even with driving through one sandstorm and two blizzards earlier this month with no breakdowns on either electric car. On the other hand, one of their gas-engined support vans died in South Dakota. On the other hand, a universal battery-swap layout may not be so easy, as each brand is bringing their own shapes and sizes into the mix. The Renault is likely a much narrower car than the Tesla Model S.

  • AlfaRomasochist AlfaRomasochist on Feb 04, 2014

    I can't be the only one that read the name as "Renault Flatulence".

Next