Gradually, electric cars become more affordable – which doesn’t mean they are bargains. This Thursday (14), Renault presented the Kwid E-Tech, which becomes the entry-level model of the category in Brazil.
The compact costs R$ 143,000, a value guaranteed by the pre-sale period, which runs until July. The first deliveries are scheduled for August. Before, the cheapest tram station was occupied by the JAC e-JS1 (R$ 164.9 thousand). Both cars are imported from China.
For the price of the Kwid E-Tech it is possible to buy two units of the Zen 1.0 Flex version (R$ 61.1 thousand) and still have enough change for licensing, insurance and plenty of fuel. But the values tend to fall with the massification of technology around the world.
According to a study mentioned by Renault, sales of 100% electric cars in Brazil could be between 80,000 and 200,000 units in 2030. distribution of charging points throughout Brazil, both on the streets and in buildings.
The car will also be available for long-term rental. According to the manufacturer, the 48-month plan will have monthly fees of R$3,339 with maintenance, licensing and insurance costs included. There are certainly better options than this to run around on electric Kwid.
The new version of the compact is more equipped than the others. It is the only one to bring six airbags (flex options have four) and automatic transmission. It is a simple system, with one gear forward and one reverse, typical of 100% electric cars.
Weighing just 977 kilograms, the E-Tech can hit 50 km/h in about four seconds. The manufacturer uses this data to highlight the agility in urban traffic, the launch’s natural habitat. Top speed is limited to 130 km/h.
According to Renault, the 27 kW battery allows it to travel 298 kilometers in the city. Recharging can be done at home: on a common 220v outlet, it takes nine hours to reach enough to drive 190 km. That is, the ideal is to leave the Kwid plugged in overnight.
In quick outlets available at some road stations, the same autonomy can be reached in 40 minutes, says the automaker.
According to the company’s calculations, the Kwid E-Tech’s travel cost per kilometer would be BRL 0.06. In the flex version, the value would reach R$ 0.48. Renault considered gasoline at R$ 7.30 and kWh at R$ 0.66 – the national average value, which does not consider the taxes included in the electricity bill in different states.
The brand will have a recycling process for the batteries, but details of the plan have not yet been released. Ricardo Gondo, president of Renault do Brasil, says that the first part of this process is the use of “second life” batteries as energy storage obtained through solar panels.
In addition to the Kwid E-Tech, the automaker also sells the compact Zoe (from R$240,000). The line of electric passenger cars will be complemented by the Mégane, which should debut later this year.
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