This piece of news is slightly interesting even though Renault Samsung Motors are not sold locally here. The Renault Samsung Motors SM3 Z.E is an electric vehicle which is based on the Renault Fluence sold here. It is exactly like the Fluence sedan and the only difference externally are the badging.
The newly revised SM3 Z.E was unveiled at Korea's Daegu International Future Auto Expo. The SM3 Z.E first appeared in 2013 and is actually a Renault Fluence with another name and no internal combustion engine. This time around, Renault Samsung has improved its efficiency and it now can travel 213km on a full charge. It is up by 57% from the earlier model. It is the only electric sedan in the (South) Korean market at the moment where the rest are the usual hatchbacks and tiny cars.
Battery power has been upped to 36kWh with no increase in weight and, with the average daily trip in South Korea standing at 40 kilometres in 2016 according to a Korean Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA) report, the new SM3 Z.E. is capable of running for approximately five days on a single charge. This shows the improvement in battery technology over the past 4 years. 57% more range but no extra battery packs. The quality is getting better.
This increase in range will permit the SM3 Z.E. to address the strong demand expressed not only by retail customers, but also by state-run fleets and taxi operators for electric vehicles over in Korea. 1,200 of these cars were purchased by South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare last April and the model is also popular as an EV taxi in Seoul, Daegu and Jeju Island.
Another reason why the SM3 Z.E is quite well received is that it is one of the largest C segment sedans out there and is quite close in size to a D segment sedan (with the exception of its width). Its looks may not stir the soul as it does look like something from the early 2000s rather than from 2017, but it has tons of space inside. It is also one of those cars that has utilised digital instrument readouts for a while already and it does seem to be a mismatch of staid looks and a lot of digital instrumentation inside. Quite different especially since its traditional looks hide a fully electric drivetrain.
Speaking of its petrol powered sibling, the Fluence, it is still being sold here by TC Euro Cars with a pretty good warranty and very comprehensive servicing package (free servicing etc. etc). Buy and just run the car without headaches.
PRESS RELEASE
Renault Samsung Motors unveils the new SM3 Z.E.: increases range by more than 50%
Said Gilles Normand, SVP, Electric Vehicle, Renault: “Groupe Renault, Europe’s number one EV brand and the market’s pioneer, is in the process of introducing second-generation versions of its electric vehicles. As laid out in our Drive the Future plan, this process will enable Groupe Renault to strengthen its geographical and segment coverage and foster a step-up in the electric vehicle market.”
The autonomy of the Renault Samsung Motors SM3 Z.E. – the market’s only three-box saloon – has been increased by 57 percent to 213 kilometres based on the Korean type approval cycle.
Battery power has been upped to 36kWh with no increase in weight and, with the average daily trip in South Korea standing at 40 kilometres in 2016 according to a Korean Transportation Safety Authority (KOTSA) report, the new SM3 Z.E. is capable of running for approximately five days on a single charge.
This increase in autonomy and the model’s spacious cabin will permit the SM3 Z.E. to address the strong demand expressed not only by retail customers, but also by state-run fleets and taxi operators. Indeed, 1,200 cars were purchased by South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare last April, while the model is also popular as an EV taxi in Seoul, Daegu and Jeju Island.
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