Last week, TC Euro Cars invited us along for a short trip to Melaka to witness something special. Of course, knowing Renault and their high performance super hot hatch; we were excited to be involved in the drive but little that we know, this was the opposite of the octane filled adrenaline. In fact; there were no fuel involved. We were about depart on a journey that will determine the future of cars in Malaysia.
Moving ahead with time – many manufacturers have been busy implementing the electric motor into the car in replacement of the internal combustion engine that we know of today. However, the motor requires electricity and this is generated by a source of stored energy that we all understand as batteries. Putting the weight of lugging it around in the car out of the way – the DC motor saps a high amount of energy from the battery hence, reducing the range of the car. Because of this known problem, many have chucked the idea of an electric car away as a form of everyday transportation.
Although the electric car is here, many find that the technology is not yet ‘there’ in terms of battery advancement because the range is still ridiculously small. This is where the ‘Electric Adventure’ comes in. We were to drive Renault’s latest electric car instalment; the Fluence Z.E from Petronas Solaris Station in Serdang all the way to Melaka..wait for it… IN A SINGLE CHARGE! A total of 116km were to be covered in this journey with an electric car to show to the discerning Malaysian citizens that YES – the electric can do the distance. Watch our short video of the journey below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0h-iw3dOb8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUnCa1uCM7kuHuoT1lij0mVQ
An initiative brought together between TC Euro Cars and Green Tech Malaysia, this event was held in collaboration with the Melaka State Government and Hatten Square to change the perception of electric cars to the Malaysia drivers. The 116km journey was escorted by PDRM and the R.S Collectif boys in their hot hatch.
Yes, we did make the journey in a single charge..in fact, we still had over 40kms range left when we reached our destination in Ayer Keroh. The amazing fact is how the EV drove alongside on the highway just like any other car on the road, blending in the future with the present. The journey was done at highway speeds and the EVs cope with the distance in a calm and relaxed manner.
The Renault Fluence Z.E is part of the company’s Z.E programme, which stands for Zero Emission. Based on the Fluence compact sedan, the Z.E version is an all electric vehicle, carrying 22kwh lithium-ion batteries which should enable a rear-world range of 180kms (6 hours of charging time). Instantaneous torque is generated by the 94bhp synchronous motor that gives a maximum torque of 226nm all round and a Zerotohundred time of 12.5 seconds.
Since the launch of the Fluence Z.E in 2011 – Renault has sold over 3000 units worldwide with a positive response from the european market. Now, Renault TC Euro Cars intends on providing this technology to the Malaysian market and with this short little drive, hopes to change the natural concern of people with EVs. The Fluence Z.E will reach Malaysian shores sometime next year with an improved range than the units we drove and a much shorter charging time.
The electric vehicle movement in Malaysia is carried out by Green Tech Malaysia who is currently establishing the infrastructure of the EV in Malaysia. At the moment, First Energy Networks Sdn. Bhd. has installed almost 5 charging stations in Klang Valley with a target to have more in the future along the highways in the city itself. The Electric Vehicle technology is ready and as a supplement to the internal combustion engine, we hope that more EVs will commute along the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
