French automobile brand Renault are showing a range of electric concept cars at the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung (Frankfurt Motor Show) in Germany this week.

Top image: Twizy ZE. Above: Kangoo ZE.

Called Renault ZE, the range is composed of a city car, hatchback, saloon and van.

Above: Zoe ZE.

The cars are designed to recharge in three minutes.

Above: Fluence ZE.

Renault envisage that spare batteries will be kept in the home or in workplaces, and that garages will adopt drop-off points for recycling batteries.

Renault plan to launch the range commercially from 2011.

More about the Frankfurt Motor Show:

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Here's some more information from Renault:

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Renault to launch electric vehicles in 2011

For Renault, the electric vehicle is the real long-term solution to today’s environmental and noise pollution issues. Technological innovations now make it possible to mass market an electric vehicle at reasonable cost.

In addition, changes in vehicle use make electric cars ideal for the majority of trips, with 80% of Europeans currently driving less than 60 km a day.

Renault will bring its customers a complete range of electric vehicles by as early as 2011. Their design will be largely inspired by the concept cars revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show: Kangoo Z.E. Concept announces a light commercial vehicle, especially designed for professionals, that will be available for the 1st semester of 2011.

Fluence Z.E. Concept prefigures an electric version of a family car, that will be launched first in Israel (1st semester 2011) and then in other countries. By mid 2012, a full-electric city car (close to Zoe Z.E. Concept) measuring less than four meters long and with five seats, ideal for commuting. Also in 2nd-half of 2012, a new type of urban vehicle close to Twizy Z.E. Concept (a passenger can seat behind the driver).

The new car for everyday use

For Renault and its customers, electric cars have to be practical, attractive and reassuring: Electric vehicles will retail at the same price as equivalent diesel models (without the battery, which is rented); Running costs are roughly 20% lower than an equivalent combustion vehicle since electricity costs much less than petrol (around €1 per 100 km);

Maintenance costs are half those of an equivalent combustion vehicle because electric motors require less servicing; Electric motors are the equal of gasoline and diesel cars in terms of performance. Regarding acceleration, for example, an electric motor delivers all of its power as soon as it pulls away; Electric cars are easily recharged at home, at special terminals in parking lot areas and at “quick drop” rapid exchange stations.

Above and below images: Twizy ZE

Electric vehicles are in phase with current public issues. They are silent and, because they emit no CO2, NOx or particulate matter, they also respect the environment.