Last year was a turbulent one for Renault, which sold 26,000 fewer cars in 2011 than 2010. However, all is not lost. This year sees the introduction of the company's Dacia budget brand and also Renault's long-awaited range of ZE cars. Having been teased by radical looking concepts for almost four years, these all-electric vehicles are finally upon us. Here's a rundown of what is coming when.

Zoe

Being closest in design to the conventional family hatchback, the Zoe is perhaps the most important car in the Renault ZE range. Expected in autumn 2012, it will have to deliver on more than just its projected range if it's to compete with the established competition and tempt buyers into zero-emissions motoring.

Thankfully it gets off to a good start with its bold, clean lines and purposeful stance. A 60kW (80bhp) motor endows the Zoe with a top speed of 84mph and a range of 100 miles, meaning it's unlikely to struggle with the everyday demands of a family. Also, with Renault's consistently good results in crash tests, the Zoe is likely to be a very safe way of transporting your loved ones.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but expect them to be similar to that of an equivalent diesel model (around £18-20,000), excluding battery rental.

Twizy

With the design constraints of combustion engines gone, Renault's designers have used the Twizy to challenge our perceptions of what a car should look like. Remaining largely faithful to the original concept, including the jet-fighter style 1+1 seating arrangement, this urban runabout would prove ideal for city dwellers wanting to downsize their car. However, with a top speed of 50mph and a range of just 60 miles, high-mileage drivers will need to look elsewhere.

The Twizy will be available from spring 2012 from £6,950 including VAT. Battery hire is £40 per month based on a 36-month rental period.

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Fluence

With a projected range of 115 miles and a top speed of 84mph from its 70kW (94bhp) motor, the Fluence saloon isn't restricted to city driving, and its size should fulfil the needs of drivers finding the current crop of electric vehicles too impractical. With a recommended price of just £17,750 including VAT (and a £5000 plug-in car grant) it looks to be good value, though battery rental runs to £69.60 per month.

One question remains: why did Renault feel the need to make it look so bland? It's quite possibly the most anonymous looking zero-emission vehicle yet announced, which may suit potential fleet buyers, but is unlikely to convince private customers out of their Mondeos and Passats.

Kangoo ZE

A light commercial vehicle may not be the most glamorous way to launch a ground-breaking range of zero-emission vehicles, and it's true that the production Kangoo ZE looks disappointingly like a regular van compared with the acid-tint windowed concept. However, it could be just the answer for van drivers looking to reduce their overheads.

The Kangoo ZE is powered by a 44kW (60bhp) electric motor, which is good for a range of 106 miles and a top speed of 81mph (though obviously not at the same time). It's available to order now from £16,990 excluding VAT, with battery hire costing £62 per month.