Renault And Dongfeng To Produce Fluence-Based Electric Model In China By 2017

Renault announced their plans to produce its first electric vehicle in China

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by Michael Karkafiris

September 30, 2015 at 16:33

Renault announced their plans to produce its first electric vehicle in China in conjunction with Donfeng Motor, based upon the Fluence ZE.

Dongfeng Renault Automotive Company (DRAC) said that the new electric model will be produced at the Wuhan plant in 2017 and will be launched wearing a local Dongfeng badge as it will be available in China only.

The new EV will be based upon the Fluence ZE, an electric version of Renault’s budget saloon that went out of production in early 2014 and will be part of the new line-up DRAC is developing for the Chinese market.

Back then, Renault was forced to end production of the Fluence ZE due to poor sales and the bankruptcy of the Israeli start up ‘Better Place’ which was handling the battery-swapping EV stations, as the French EV also had the option of a replaceable battery. It certainly make sense for Renault to use once again the platform of the electric Fluence as millions of euros were invested in the development and production of the now defunct model.

The new line-up includes two SUVs and two saloons and the new Fluence-based electric model.

Note: Renault Fluence ZE pictured