She's electric! Spend the weekend with ZOE on a free 24-hour test-drive

  If you've always been curious about electric cars, but haven’t given one a go yet, then here's your big chance! Joe Mallon Motors in Naas is currently offering Free 24-hour Test Drives of their revolutionary new Renault ZOE. So you can pick up the car at 2pm on a Friday afternoon and return it again on Saturday afternoon. According to Sales Manager Brian Curran, the idea is you can really experience what it's like to own an Electric Vehicle (EV) by taking it overnight and sampling the car at your leisure such as cruising on the motorway, going to the shops and taking the kids on outings.   Also available for a Free 24-hour Test Drive is the Renault Kangoo Z E van  - previously voted International Van of the Year in 2012 – the first time an electric vehicle won the award.   More charge points Brian of Joe Mallon Motors says there's an increasing number of nearby charging points located in areas such as in Naas (2), Sallins, Newbridge, Ballymore Eustace, Kildare Town, Monasterevin, Maynooth, Celbridge and Leixlip.   ML mln   There is a new €600 maximum grant for installing an electric charger in your home.     According to Brian, Renault are now at the forefront of electric vehicles and are investing millions of euro in research.   And Joe Mallon Motors, which is the main Renault dealer for Kildare and Laois, recently won Electric Vehicle Dealer of the Year. Brian points out that the ZOE can charge four times faster than other electric vehicles. The ZOE Supermini (large hatchback) range starts from €23,490 but Joe Mallon Motors is offering a 0% finance deal on the first 60 months of repayments - that's five years interest free.   Savings mount up   And during that time you will really see the savings on running costs mount up on a daily basis. You're talking about zero fuel costs, lower road tax, lower cost of servicing as no oil changes or timing belts etc are needed. You also can also get a maximum €5,000 Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland grant and qualify for Vehicle Registration Tax relief.   Overall, you will also have a very easy conscience that you’re doing your best to save the planet from more fossil fumes from gas-guzzling SUVs.   First impressions   The first impressions after sitting into a five-door ZOE are that it's a very smooth and silent stress-free drive because it's automatic transmission with no clutch or gears.   It's also a joy to park due to its compact size.   And it has very good road-holding ability due to the heavy battery being located under the middle of the car.   It also has Cruise Control for long journeys and a Speed Limiter - perhaps ideal for avoid accidental speeding fines such as along the M7 roadworks!   The Renault ZOE has a range of around 300km in real driving times which is very impressive compared to other electric rivals.   Like a fuel car, you will use more battery juice on the motorway compared to short trips like nipping around town.   The ZOE feels quite conventional behind the wheel, despite the lack of noise, thanks to its normal looks and interior.   The driver has a higher seating position due to the battery positioned underneath the front and rear seats.   The overall ride quality is quite good, but once you lift your foot off the accelerator, the regenerative braking system kicks in making it feel like the car is dragging.   Touch Screen   The ZOE comes with a 7 inch touch mini-computer screen mounted on the centre console housing Renault’s R-Link infotainment system. You can pair your smartphone and even listen to your Spotify tunes or watch movies (when the handbrake is up!).     Instead of the conventional rev counter and speedo dials in front of the steering wheel, there is a funky TFT digital display showing you speed, range and when the regenerative braking system kicks in.   Very safe   You can be reassured in the fact that the Renault ZOE is a very safe electric car.   It achieved the full five star rating in a European-standard crash test. Standard safety tech includes anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution and emergency brake assist. It also gets a full set of six airbags, hill assist, traction control and understeer control.   Spacious   Overall, the ZOE is deceptively spacious for driver and passengers. Boot space is a very decent 338 litres. The rear seats also fold, but not flat so it is possible to store larger items if required.   So give the ZOE a try today, book the Free 24-Hour Test Drive at Joe Mallon Motors in Naas.