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The Renault Zoe was recently showcased at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show and even before the official launch, later this year, the Zoe has set a new world record for distance traveled in an electric car in 24 hours. It really looks like Renault wants to prove that an electric car can travel sensible distances in a sensible period of time. Renault ran a pair of production-spec Zoes at the Aubevoye speed ring in Normandy, France. The Renault Zoe is powered by a 22kWh lithium ion battery pack which drives a 87bhp synchronous electric motor. The car has a maximum torque of 220Nm and a top speed of 135km/h. The car's NEDC Cycle range is 210km and it's Cameleon charger allows the Zoe to charge at any power level, taking around 30 minutes to nine hours. In the record attempt, the car covered 1,617km or 363 laps of the Aubevoye, in 24 hours and it took 15 drivers to take turns at the steering wheel. The feat averaged to an average speed of just 67km/h but it also included the stoppage time for the car to recharge its batteries. Since the Cameleon charger could take power of any level, the car relied on a fast 43kW charge during the record attempt and this allows to batteries to restore an eighty percent charge in less than 30 minutes. The car had to be charged nine times during the attempt. Renault is hailing this record as proof that the Renault Zoe is just as practical as a normal car. A Renault spokesperson in charge of their electric vehicles mentioned that this feat is a superb technical and human adventure and the victory is a joint commitment to showcase the quality of Renault electric vehicles. The previous record for the above mentioned feat was held by Citroen with their AX CEA which covered 1,279km and the Nissan Leaf could only manage to cover 1,250km in 24 hours. Photo credit: Left Lane News

Eight global automakers, namely Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche and Volkswagen, will jointly participate in a single-port DC-fast charging technology at the upcoming Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS26) event in Los Angeles. The new technology is said to be able to rapidly recharge most electric vehicles (EVs) with compatible systems in as little as 15-20 minutes. The Society of International Engineers has chosen the single-port fast charging method as its standard for fast charging and the European manufacturing association (ACEA) has endorsed harmonization for all vehicle types. The fast charging system was developed for all international vehicle markets and creates a uniform standard with identical electrical systems, charge controllers, package dimensions and safety mechanisms. The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This provide customers the convenience of charging at most existing charging stations regardless of power source and may speed the adoption of an affordable standardized infrastructure. This is certainly an important milestone in the development of EVs. It is akin to standardization of fuel ports on petrol-powered vehicles. The chargers will be available commercially by end of 2012 and vehicles using the technology will be available starting in 2013.