Electric Vehicles

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

Published by

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.

Bridie Schmidt

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.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Australia’s climate hypocrisy on show as world braces for global warming “overshoot”

Days apart, one Australian minister called for reduced dependence on fossil fuels, while another literally…

4 September 2026

Gigawatt-hour battery plan edges closer to construction as Swiss giant takes full ownership of site

Swiss storage giant completes purchase of the project site for big four-hour battery, setting a…

4 September 2026

“Golden turbine” complete, in huge milestone at rare state-owned wind farm

Installation of the "golden" turbine is being hailed as a "huge milestone" for a wind…

4 September 2026

Can you run a paper mill on solar and “hot bricks”? Visy says it can – on paper, at least

A paddock of solar and an innovative converter could allow Visy to cut gas use…

4 September 2026

Molten silicon storage hopeful 1414 Degrees takes full ownership of Aurora Energy Precinct

Australian thermal storage developer takes full ownership of energy precinct that once proposed to host…

4 September 2026

The Driven Podcast: EVs outsell petrol and diesel cars in Australia

Electric cars account for 24.9 per cent of new vehicle sales in August and outselling…

4 September 2026