Renault Samsung Prepares for SM3 ZE Launch

Renault Samsung Motors is getting ready for a January production launch of the SM3 ZE electric vehicle at its Busan, South Korea, plant.

The compact sedan recently was named one of two EVs in Korea that qualify for a tax break based on energy efficiency.

The RSM production target for 2012 is 500 units, all of which will be designated for government test fleets, a spokesman tells WardsAuto.

The SM3 ZE has been exhibited at various auto shows. It shares a platform with the Renault Fluence ZE, first unveiled in 2010 in Paris, so demonstrator units have been imported from Renault and rebadged as SM3 ZEs.

RSM is targeting production and sales of 6,000 units in 2013, when the vehicle becomes available to retail customers in Korea.

The SM3 ZE and the Kia Ray EV both were identified by Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy last week as fully qualifying for various government subsidies and waivers of up to 4.2 million won ($3,630).

The SM3 ZE can run 109 miles (176 km) on a single charge and reach a top speed of 84 mph (135 km/h). The Kia Ray can travel 81 miles (130 km) between charges and boasts the same top speed.

The SM3 ZE is powered by a 70-kW (94-hp) synchronous electric motor with a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Kia Ray has a 50-kW (67-hp) electric motor that draws from a 16.5-kWh Li-ion battery pack.

RSM is working with its dealers and others in Korea to develop a “quick swap” service for the SM3 EZ, so drivers can have drained batteries exchanged for fully charged packs at authorized centers. Renault has a similar arrangement in place in Australia, Denmark and Israel for its Fluence ZE.

Kia says it plans to produce 2,500 Ray EVs in 2012 for fleet tests by government agencies, but adds that it is critical the government increase the number of recharge stations available.

Only about 500 recharge facilities exist in Korea now, but the government plans to increase this to more than 3,000 by the end of 2012, Kia says.