Renault Zoe EV on sale June in UK from £13,650 [VIDEO]

Orders for the Zoe are being taken now, with prices starting at £13,650 for the Expression model inclusive of the government's plug-in car grant. The two Dynamique models cost £14,750 once the grant has been deducted.

Battery rental must be considered in the Zoe's purchase price. That costs from £70 a month, based on a three-year contract with a mileage limit of 7,500 annually. Increasing the mileage threshold adds more to the monthly rental; a limit of 9,500 miles pushes the rental to £77, 10,500 miles is £85 and 12,000 miles is £93. Reducing the length of the contract by a year adds £10 a month to the rental charge. So for example, a one-year battery rental contract on a Zoe with a mileage cap of 10,500 miles would cost £105 a month.

Every Zoe is powered by a synchronous electric motor producing 86bhp and 162lb ft of torque. Top speed is limited to 84mph. The batteries that supply the motor are charged through Renault's 'Chameleon' charger, which is adaptable to any power supply from 3kw to 43kw. That means charging times vary from 30 minutes to nine hours. Renault claims 80 per cent of the Zoe's energy can be restored through a 30-minute charge at a 43 kW AC power source. The NEDC range is 130 miles, although Renault states 90 miles is a more accurate real-world prediction.

The Zoe will be available in entry-level Expression trim and Dynamique Zen or Dynamique Intens, the latter two being identically priced. All Zoe models feature Renault's R-Link infotainment system with seven-inch touchscreen, an Eco mode to extend the range and regenerative braking. Renault has also fitted the Zoe with 'ZE Voice', a sound-emitting device to warn pedestrians of the Zoe's presence. It operates between 1mph and 18mph, and features 3 different noises. ZE Voice can also be disabled by the driver.