Renault Samsung Motors on Monday started taking pre-orders for the SM3 Z.E., the first full-electric compact in Korea that will roll off the carmaker’s Busan production line and go on sale in October.

The SM3 Z.E., dubbed a “zero emission” model, is the second all-electric vehicle to be introduced here following Kia Motors’ Ray EV. It is the first electric sedan, the carmaker claimed.

The Korean version of the Fluence of the Renault-Nissan Alliance can run for more than 135 kilometers when fully charged, with its maximum speed reaching 135 kilometers per hour.

The carmaker stretched the body of the original SM3 about 13 centimeters for the quarter-tone 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack to fit behind the rear seats without losing trunk space.

Eliminating the gas engine also gives the electric SM3 a nearly 50-50 weight balance, in contrast to the nose-heavy standard models with a 60-40 ratio.

RSM plans to promote the car mainly in 10 cities specially designated by the Environment Ministry to cater to electric vehicles.

The price tag is 45 million won ($40,000) but the final price could lower to some 19 million won considering the 15 million won in subsidies from the ministry and additional financial benefits from local governments, the company said.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)