The Zoe Charger
The Zoe’s charging system is called the Chameleon charger. It uses the motor windings as part of the charging system, and an inherent features of this design is that it can charge off three phase AC. Three phase is common in many parts of the world, including Europe and NZ (but not in the USA). One of the advantages of this configuration is that it is possible to charge at up to 43 kW, while not requiring an off-board charging unit. (By contrast, DC fast charging systems supply DC to the car and the AC-DC rectifier is located in the fast charging station, which makes a DC charging stations significantly more expensive). A disadvantage of this system is that charging below 3 kW is very inefficient.
The following table shows the charging times at various charging rates. Note that the R240/R90 was designed to be more efficient than the Q210/Q90 at low charging currents, although the ability to charge at 43 kW was dropped. (The higher charging rates of 22 kW and 43 kW are possible when charging at three phase at currents of 32 amps and 63 amps respectively.)
| Charging Power | Charging times | |||
| 22 kWh Battery | 41 kWh Battery | |||
| Q210 | R240/R90 | Q90 | R90 | |
| 2.3 kW (0-100%) | 17-18 hours | 13 h 30 min | 30 h 30 min | 25 hours |
| 3.7 kW (0-100%) | 9 hours | 8-9 hours | ||
| 7.4 kW (0-100%) | 4 hours | 3-4 hours | 8 h 30 min | 7 h 30 min |
| 22 kW (0-100%) | 1 h 45 min | 2 h 40 min | 2 h 40 min | |
| 43 kW (0-100%) | 1 h 45 min | 1 h 30 min | 2 h 40 min | |
| 22 kW (0-80%) | 60 minutes | 60 minutes | 1 h 40 min | 1 h 40 min |
| 43 kW (0-80%) | 30 minutes | 60 minutes | 65 minutes | 1 h 40 min |
Note: The above charging times are from Zoe brochures and the charging time calculator at: https://www.renault.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/zoe-250/battery-and-charging.html#simulateur-recharge. Note that there was not always complete agreement between the different sources.
The following table indicates where such powers are found.
| Phase | Current | Power | Where found |
| Single | 10 amps | 2.3 kW | Residential power socket |
| Single | 16 amps | 3.7 kW | Caravan socket (‘blue commando’) |
| Single | 32 amps | 7.4 kW | Type 2 electric car charging station (socket) wired to a single phase; industrial single phase socket |
| Triple | 32 amps | 22 kW | Type 2 electric car charging station (socket); industrial three phase socket |
| Triple | 63 amps | 43 kW | Type 2 electric car charging station (tethered) |
