Nearly two years after it appeared as a concept at the Paris Motor show, Renault’s tiny Zoe electric vehicle has made its production debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. Fans of the original concept will be pleased to see that the styling has been carried through to this production version with little or no changes to speak of.

The 65 kW / 220 Nm Renault Zoe has a range of 210 km under the official European standards, putting it 50 km clear of the majority of mass-produced electric vehicles currently available. Renault says this translates to a real-world range of 100 km in icy conditions and 150 km in more mild weather. It features an Eco mode that optimises range by adjusting the performance of the motor and climate control. The Zoe is also the first electric vehicle that can be charged at any power level up to 43 kW thanks to its integrated ‘Chameleon’ charger. Charging takes between 30 minutes and nine hours, with a 22 kW fast charge completed in about one hour.

The entry model, Zoe Life, starts at €15 700 euros and includes an integrated Renault R-Link multimedia tablet, Chameleon battery charger and automatic climate control as standard equipment. In France, government tax incentives mean the two higher spec models, the Zoe Zen and Zoe Intens, will start from €17 500. The Li-Ion battery pack is supplied on a lease basis, with a 36-month/37 500km contract starting from 79 per month. Relatively cheap, great looking and with an above-average range, the Renault Zoe looks set to bring electric motoring within the reality of more motorists. We’d still hope 24-hour roadside assistance as part of the deal though!