is it safe to buy a renault fluence with no battery contract
Discussion
It is possible that Renault could catch up with you and remotely deactivate the car's ability to charge. I've not heard it happen personally but the option is there.
It's the seller's obligation to pass on the battery lease, not sure how much pleading ignorance will let you get away with. Have you done an HPI on the car? If so if RCI's financial interest in the battery noted?
If the car is super, super cheap it could be worth giving it a shot, but the Fluence is so outclassed by pretty much every other EV out there is it worth the risk? Especially if Renault come chasing for back rentals etc.
It's the seller's obligation to pass on the battery lease, not sure how much pleading ignorance will let you get away with. Have you done an HPI on the car? If so if RCI's financial interest in the battery noted?
If the car is super, super cheap it could be worth giving it a shot, but the Fluence is so outclassed by pretty much every other EV out there is it worth the risk? Especially if Renault come chasing for back rentals etc.
Not sure how he can not know about the battery lease? Suspect he does know and just stopped paying it once the initial 3 year term was up.
I think Renault are in a bit of a pickle with these long term, mandatory battery leases and eventually I suspect they will reach the inevitable decision to write them off.
Otherwise they will become a millstone around Renault's neck just at the point when they are trying to launch the forthcoming next generation of EVs.
On this point, there was a rumour mentioned here along these lines, supposedly from a Renault source attending the Paris motor show. Of course I can't validate if this is true or not, but makes sense to me as being their only way out.
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/10/19/renault-cease...
"Ocni adds that Renault electric car owners who are currently renting the batteries will become their owners. This will be explained as an act of goodwill and marketing towards EV pioneers. He got this information at the Paris Auto Show from a source that he considers to be reliable.”
I think Renault are in a bit of a pickle with these long term, mandatory battery leases and eventually I suspect they will reach the inevitable decision to write them off.
Otherwise they will become a millstone around Renault's neck just at the point when they are trying to launch the forthcoming next generation of EVs.
On this point, there was a rumour mentioned here along these lines, supposedly from a Renault source attending the Paris motor show. Of course I can't validate if this is true or not, but makes sense to me as being their only way out.
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/10/19/renault-cease...
"Ocni adds that Renault electric car owners who are currently renting the batteries will become their owners. This will be explained as an act of goodwill and marketing towards EV pioneers. He got this information at the Paris Auto Show from a source that he considers to be reliable.”
As a leased battery Zoe owner it would have to be really cheap to make me run the risk.
My thoughts are that all the cars I see listed are about £4000. I can get a brand new Zoe on PCP for 2 years for that including battery rental , warranty , free home charger and breakdown cover.
If the Fluence was £1k - £2 , I might be tempted to chance it and see what happens since I now have a charger at home. I would be saving £90 a month just incase they hit me with a bill in the future and if this happens I would just think , oh well I would have probably spent they in petrol in another similar car.
I read the article above and since my PCP is up in 2018 it might be worth buying . I think the dealer's will benefit most of all though. The article did say that battery leases are being reduced in Europe , but I see new Nissan leaf deals with the battery on lease everyday.
My thoughts are that all the cars I see listed are about £4000. I can get a brand new Zoe on PCP for 2 years for that including battery rental , warranty , free home charger and breakdown cover.
If the Fluence was £1k - £2 , I might be tempted to chance it and see what happens since I now have a charger at home. I would be saving £90 a month just incase they hit me with a bill in the future and if this happens I would just think , oh well I would have probably spent they in petrol in another similar car.
I read the article above and since my PCP is up in 2018 it might be worth buying . I think the dealer's will benefit most of all though. The article did say that battery leases are being reduced in Europe , but I see new Nissan leaf deals with the battery on lease everyday.
HTP99 said:
How will dealers benefit?
I can't remember how much my optional final payment is , but it's much more than the car is worth if I continue to rent the battery. Why would I not have a brand new one again when the vehicle part of my PCP is only £90 odd. Leaving a used car that is probably quite hard to sell used with a £90 battery rental.If in 2018 Renault says the battery is now part of the car and doesn't require a lease , suddenly the car is much more saleable , either to me at the end of my PCP or to the dealer if I return it.
So I buy another new Zoe on PCP , they get back a car that a person can just drive away without worrying about the battery lease. Battery included leafs or Zoe's are worth considerably more .
I could be totally wrong , but that's how I think they could benefit.
Edited by nickofh on Friday 23 December 20:35
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