Scheduled for 2024, the future electric Renault 5 should cost much less than the Zoé. But its performance in terms of autonomy could be disappointing for customers, but already won over by its appearance.
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Renault, like all general manufacturers, will have to massively electrify its range in the coming years, in order to meet the requirements of the European Union. As a reminder, it plans to prohibit the sale of all thermal cars in its territory from 2035. A term that does not scare the diamond firm, which it foresees in any case become 100% electric from 2030.
An expected city car
At present, Renault already has four electric models, namely the Zoé, the Twizy, the Twingo and the Megane, but others will arrive a bit later. We think in particular of the Renault 5 (R5) E-Tech, announced by a concept called the Renault 5 Prototype in January 2021. And the least we can say is that it quickly won over the crowds, by reinterpreting the styling of the famous Renault. 5 from the 1970s.
At the time, the brand hadn’t given many details about its creation, including the production version will arrive in the range during the next year. But now, over the months, new rumors have begun to circulate about it, particularly with regard to its motorization, 100% electric of course.
Indeed, and as we mentioned in a previous article, the urban car could have a 40 kWh battery, which allows you to travel 400 kilometers on a single charge according to the WLTP cycle. However, not everyone really agrees, while some rumors in the hall rather evoke a 52 kWh battery, for the same autonomy. A logical choice, since this accumulator already equips the Renault Zoé.
But it’s quite likely that those numbers are for a mid-range version, or even the higher-spec variant. Indeed, Renault promised a price between 25 and 30,000 euros for your city car, excluding the ecological bonus currently established between 5 and 7,000 euros depending on income. However, to reach this price, you may have to consider a smaller battery.
A disappointing autonomy?
Indeed, the Zoé is currently shown from 35,100 euros with a 52 kWh battery. If the R5 costs 10,000 euros less, you will have to choose, because as you remember l’Automobile Magazine, the accumulator supposes around 40% of the price of a car. If the firm seems to have found a solution, opting for a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery developed jointly with Nissan, the problem would not be completely solved.
In fact, if it’s cheaper, it is also 30% less dense than an NMC battery (nickel-manganese-cobalt). So a larger accumulator would be needed to achieve the same range, which really shouldn’t be possible, particularly given the greater weight and size it would take up in the car. And who says bigger battery, also says increasing price. It is the snake that bites its tail.
Especially since Renault boss Luca de Meo recently confirmed his desire to reduce the size of the batteries to limit costs. Because you should also know that the price of lithium has increased considerably in recent years, due in particular to the strong demand. To make up for this increase, and thus fulfill his promise, therefore, the brand will have to reduce autonomy. And therefore customers could not a priori take advantage of the 400 kilometers in the basic version of the city car. Information that must be taken with a grain of salt of course.
Therefore, it will be necessary to show a little more patience before knowing more about the final version of the R5 Electric that should be presented this year and be on the market in 2024. This will be followed by an electric 4L, inspired by the Renault 4ever Trophy concept presented. at the Paris Motor Show. A sports version of the urban car signed by Alpine would also be in the project. This would carry a 40 kWh battery and would take over the 220 horsepower engine of the Renault Mégane E-Tech.
Remember, however, that range is not an issue, especially in the context of a compact car, which is not designed for regular long drives. The most important is the daily distance traveled by the car as well as its charging speed. On this second point, it should do better than the Zoé, which could facilitate long distances.
The Renault 5 Concept was introduced almost two years ago, in January 2021, and continues to generate real interest among electric car enthusiasts. The serial model of the…
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