Renault’s first model in India, the Logan, didn’t quite make the impact Carlos Ghosn predicted. The Logan has been a globally successful product, selling as one of the cheapest cars in several markets. India, however, was a different ballgame, and the French carmaker didn’t quite manage to get as strong a foothold as the company expected. Of course, excise norms conspired to work against the French manufacturer and its Indian partner, M&M.

Not to be deterred however, Renault is determined to come fighting back. The company has aggressive plans for the Indian market, and expects to change its brand image starting with the launch of its Honda Civic-rivalling Fluence. Their elaborate plan is to launch five new models in India within the next five years. One of the biggest challenges facing Renault currently is the creation of a nationwide dealer network. The company expects to establish 70 dealers by 2013-14. The Fluence is expected to be launched in India by early 2011, and will boast of a more powerful version of the 1.5-litre DCi (diesel) engine currently powering the Logan. There’s also a 110bhp, 1.6-litre petrol motor on the cards.

Interestingly, Renault has declared that the all-electric Fluence (Fluence ZE – i.e. Zero Emissions) will go on sale in the first half of 2011 in certain international markets, including Israel, Denmark, and some other European nations. This expected launch period will coincide with the launch of Fluence in India – so, you never know, you may even see the electric Fluence on our shores at some point in future. If orders received by Nissan for their all-electric Leaf are anything to go by – they’re sold out in Japan and the US even before the car’s hit the streets – then it appears that the electric car is certainly gaining mainstream acceptance worldwide.

The Fluence Z.E., Renault says, will offer a range of 100 miles (160 kilometres), and will derive power from the Nissan/NEC-developed 22kWh lithium-ion battery. The top speed will be close to 130km/h. Recharging the battery will take anywhere between six to eight hours when plugged into a regular domestic power supply, while a fast charging 400-volt charge outlet will take only half-an-hour to charge the battery completely.

The all-electric Fluence is adapted from its internal combustion engined sibling, and has been stretched to accommodate the additional bulk of the 250 kilo battery pack. The arrangement of the electric motor, single speed gearbox, and electric control systems under the bonnet do give the appearance of a conventional engine though. The Fluence Z.E. will initially be built in Bursa, Turkey, on the same production line as the conventional models.

Renault has already confirmed its position on electric vehicles, and has forecasted that EVs would account for ten percent of the world market by 2020. India, being a fast-growing automotive market, along with China, has the capacity to absorb a substantial chunk of electric vehicles in future – if the infrastructure and logistical support is established in time that is. Another crucial factor will be government support for environmentally friendly vehicles, such as reduced duties, taxes, etc.

We at autoX have been test driving a variety of electric vehicles for over 15 years now. From battery operated fork lift trucks and golf carts to speciality airport and seaport trucks, as well as a few motor cars. These have included every version of the Indian REVA, the Agra Taj Mahal battery Vikram, the BHEL manufactured mini buses for Old Delhi, the GM Saturn EV-II, and a high performance sports electric vehicle that we cannot name here.

Across the board, one common observation has been that these vehicles are all extremely silent, and often end up startling other people. Those which are engaged in commercial usage, like pick-up trucks, fork lift trucks and airport/seaport trucks often carry bright flashing warning lights as well as some kind of an audible alarm – usually a siren or multi-tone alarm. But these solutions can hardly be used on passenger cars or road trucks.

Nissan has taken the pole position on this issue by introducing specific ‘engine type’ noises on its Leaf – the production EV due for launch in Japan and the US before the end of the year. Engine sound is loud when the Leaf is started, intermittent in a particular manner when being reversed, and steady as it goes up in speed in the forward direction.

The system is smart enough to recognise when the car has reached cruising speeds or senses road noise, at which point it becomes silent again. Conversely, it is also smart enough to make noise once again when being driven slowly or stopped in traffic. There may soon be a pedestrian sensing device that will provide a specific alarm too, though the usefulness of such a product in India may well be entertaining more than lifesaving.