2010 Renault Zoe ZE Concept

New innovation of Renault, as the French firm is planning a charge of zero-emissions cars and vans by 2012. Its electric supermini, the Renault Zoe ZE Concept, could cost as little as £13,000 when it reaches showrooms. 

The Zoe ZE is a four-seat electric supermini that will emit no CO2 from its tailpipe. There is still a CO2 emissions penalty to pay though, because the majority of the UK's electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels.

On that basis, Renault estimates actual emissions of the Zoe at around 30g/km. Renault claimed the Fluence ZE electric car would reduce wheel-to-wheel emissions by 90 percent compared to a 1.5-litre diesel Megane.

But the figures were only applicable using French electricity figures, where 75 percent of the electricity is nuclear generated, which creates far less CO2 than burning fossil fuels. In the UK, nuclear energy accounts for less than 20 percent of the total mix.