French town goes all electric . . . with a little help from Renault

Renault has helped create the first 100 percent electric town by giving every household in the town of Appy in the Ariege region of France a new Zoe hatchback to experience for three years in a pioneering new scheme to prove electric mobility can be suitable for all.

Appy, situated in the Ariege region in the south of France, is one of the most isolated towns in the country. What helps is the new Zoe’s near 400km range and broad charging capabilities will help demonstrate that it’s easier than ever to move to electric vehicles, and that it’s not just the reserve of those living in urban areas.  

Renault says the new Zoe is recording strong sales – since its introduction earlier in 2020, over 100,000 units have been sold in Europe. In the remote rural town of Appy, all households receiving a new Zoe will be provided with a home charger and there will be a public charger for the town. When plugged in to a DC charger, the new Zoe’s 52kWh battery can be charged to 90 miles / 144 kilometres of range in just 30 minutes.

Appy residents will run the Zoe EVs for three years, sharing their impressions and experiences with Renault, in a first-time scheme that will likely inform and help understand the way customers interact with and use electric vehicles day to day. Renault says if the inhabitants of one of the country’s most isolated towns can adopt an electric way of life, it’ll prove that everyone can.