Renault Confirms Production of All-Electric Twizy and Zoe Z.E., Sales Start in 2011

Apparently, Nissan's partner Renault wasn't kidding when it said that it would go ahead and produce the four all-electric concept models that it displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Today, the French automaker not only (re)confirmed production of the futuristic looking Twizy Z.E. city car (for Zero Emission) and the funky Zoe Z.E. sporty supermini, but it also revealed the plants where the two cars will be built.

First up is the Twizy Z.E. based 1+1 seater that will be manufactured at Renault's Valladolid factory in Spain from 2011. Even though we find it hard to believe, it is said that the production version will remain extremely close to the concept model that is powered by an electric motor that makes 15kW (20HP) and 70Nm of torque and drives the rear wheels.

The Twizy will be followed in 2012 by a sporty, all-electric supermini dimly inspired by the Zoe Z.E concept car. It will be produced at the firm's Flins plant near Paris, France. Renault said that it expects that this urban model will account for two-thirds of the Group's EV sales in Europe.

The other two electric vehicles that Renault is planning to produce is the Fluence Z.E. compact sedan and the Kangoo Z.E. small van.

Earlier this week, a letter of intent was signed between the Renault-Nissan Alliance, the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the French Strategic Investment Fund (FSI) to form a joint venture company that would develop and manufacture batteries for the group's electric vehicles.

Renault Zoe Z.E. Concept