Renault Suspends Managers on Suspicion of Leaking EV Secrets

French carmaker Renault has suspended three senior managers on suspicion of industrial espionage linked to the firm's electric vehicle plans. A company spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday that the three individuals were suspended over unspecified ethical issues.

“In late August 2010, an ethical alert was brought to the attention of the compliance committee," a Renault spokeswoman told AFP on Tuesday. "The investigation that followed led to the suspension of three Renault executives”, the spokeswoman added without providing any more details.

On Wednesday, unnamed inside sources told the news agency that all three individuals were in charge of electric vehicles projects, with one of them being a member of a 30-strong panel of executives headed by chief executive Carlos Ghosn.

The three men were required to leave their offices on Monday, but Renault has not yet filled a formal complaint.

The French carmaker plans to launch four electric models by the end of 2012 including the Fluence EV, Kangoo Express EV, Twizy and Zoe. Along with sister-company Nissan, Renault is investing €200 million (about US $263.4 million) a year in the EV programme.

Source: AFP via Yahoo News

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Renault Fluence Z.E. Wallpaper

Renault Fluence Z.E. Wallpaper


Renault Fluence Z.E. Wallpaper

Renault Fluence Z.E. Interior Photo




Renault Fluence Z.E. Interiot Shot


Renault Fluence Z.E. Rear Picture

The Renault Fluence Z.E. will be built at the OYAK-Renault factory in Bursa, Turkey, on the same production line as the internal combustion engine-powered versions of Fluence.

It is powered by an electric motor producing 70kW / 94HP and 226Nm / 167.7 lb-ft of torque that motivates the front wheels through a direct drive transmission.

The capacity of the Fluence Z.E.'s lithium-ion battery is 22kW/h. The battery itself tips the scales at 250kg and is located behind the rear seats.

The driver can charge the battery in one of three ways: through a household supply, which will fully charge the battery in between six and eight hours; at fast charge stations using a 32A 400V supply in approximately 30 minutes (available from 2012), and via a QuickDrop battery switch system that will enable the car's battery to be swapped in approximately three minutes at bespoke battery exchange stations.