PARIS -- Renault will have two dedicated full-electric vehicles in the compact segment by 2025 with the launch of a crossover model following the Megane-e hatchback introduction at the end of this year.
The crossover is one of six new EVs shown as silhouettes last week by CEO Luca de Meo as part of Renault Group’s "ElectroPop" presentation. It is part of de Meo’s strategy to increase Renault’s presence in the more-profitable compact segments under his Renaultion turnaround plan.
The other coming EVs are the Renault 4ever, inspired by the classic Renault 4 of the 1960s; three models from sports-car brand Alpine; and an all-new light-commercial vehicle.
Under former CEO Carlos Ghosn, Renault invested 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) in electrification in the early 2010s, and the 2012 Zoe was one of the first mass-market full-electric vehicles.
But until last year, the Zoe remained the only passenger EV that the group sold. Rivals such as Peugeot and Opel have launched full-electric versions of flagship models (the 208 and Corsa), while VW is launching a line of separate electric models, starting with the the ID3 compact hatchback and ID4 compact crossover.
Renault launched two full-electric minicars, the Dacia Spring and Twingo ZE at the end of last year based on existing models, but – similar to VW’s strategy -- the group’s next models will be designed around an electric drivetrain from the ground up and co-exist with existing internal combustion/hybrid models for several years.
Here is what we know about Renault’s EV product plan: