Queensland launches “most advanced” autonomous and electric Renault Zoe trial

he Zoe1 was used for the first phase of trials. Source: TMRQld/Youtube
he Zoe1 was used for the first phase of trials. Source: TMRQld/Youtube

The Driven

The Queensland Labor government has unveiled a $1.5 million, custom-designed, autonomous and electric Renault Zoe2, which it intends to use to learn more about how self-driving cars (or autonomous vehicles) will behave in an urban environment, and what is needed to make Queensland roads AV-ready.

The car will be fitted with numerous sensors and connective technology designed to turn the all-electric Renault Zoe2 hatchback into a connected  and “cooperative” autonomous vehicle (CAV).

It is the second vehicle in Queensland’s Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative (CAVI) trials which began with a non-autonomous but sensor-laden Zoe1 in February.

Traversing 6km of roads of south Brisbane’s Shailer Park, the Renault Zoe2 (which has a 41kWh battery, 80kW motor and can drive up to 300km on a single charge) showcased the use of the technology in a typical suburb, including roundabouts, intersections and driveways.

To read the full story, please go to on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, and click here…

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.

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