THE final design of Renault's zero emissions saloon the Fluence ZE, as well as the Kangoo ZE van, have been unveiled by the French car maker.

The electric powered Fluence ZE, first shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, goes on sale across Europe next year and priority registration has just begun. It is being built at Renault's plant in Bursa, Turkey.

Renault estimates that electric vehicles will account for 10 per cent of the world market by 2020 and along with partner Nissan is investing four billion euros in its zero emissions programme. A 2,000-strong team is already working on electric vehicles.

Their objective is to make electric vehicle technology available to as many road users as possible and to this end, aims to introduce an unusual ownership plan.

For the first time, the vehicle and the battery will belong to different owners. Customers will either buy or hire their vehicle and take out a subscription that covers the rent of the battery.

Renault also says it intends to sell its electric vehicles at prices comparable with those of a diesel-powered car of an equivalent size and spec level.

As the compact segment's first saloon electric car, it was important that the Fluence ZE should be easily distinguished from the regular version, so it comes with a package of specific features that associate it with Renault's electric vehicle range.

As a result the ZE is 13cm longer, in order to accommodate the battery behind the rear seats, and at the front has the Renault logo, foglamp surrounds, headlamp brows and lower part of the headlamp mask all picked out in blue.

Other changes see a black diffuser on the rear bumper, gloss black mirror housings, body colour side protective mouldings and battery charge flaps on both wings.

Several body colours will be available including Energy Blue, a new colour specific to Renault's electric vehicle range.

The Kangoo Van ZE will be released in the first half of 2011 and have an operational range of 160km. It has the same carrying capacity, payload and standard of comfort as the regular van.

The UK Government will offer a subsidy of 25 per cent off the purchase price of an electric vehicle, up to a maximum of £5,000, from 2011.