Skip advert
Advertisement

New Renault electric car set to take on the Nissan Leaf in 2022

The Leaf rival will be one of two new Renault electric cars, with a smaller city car also set to join the firm’s expanded EV range

Renault is gearing up to add two new electric vehicles to its range, sandwiching its ZOE EV between a smaller city car and a larger family-sized model to take on the Nissan Leaf. The EV expansion will help the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance sell two million cars per year by 2025.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Renault has previously announced plans to launch eight new EVs by 2022; currently it has four in its line-up. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, the firm’s global electric vehicle programme director, Eric Feunteun, said: “We will continue in the B-segment; that is our strongest segment and it is the heart of the European market. Then we clearly go down and then we will go up into the C-segment, so we will increase our coverage. The idea is to bring the car with the right timing.”

• Best electric cars on sale right now

Feunteun is conscious that launching an electric family-sized hatchback as it stands would make the model too expensive for a brand like Renault. He added: “If I do it with the cost of the battery today, then I will be at the price of my luxury competitors. If you want to go to C, D, E-segment – we can see what Tesla is doing, and Jaguar – you need to go with very big batteries.

“But that means very expensive cars. I’m a strong believer that the DNA of Renault is to bring affordable technology; the ZOE is the most affordable electric car on the market and price is the number one deciding factor.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

“My answer is very clear,” he added. “Yes, we will go to the C-segment, and yes, we will go with a bigger battery – that is for sure. But we need to find the right timing to be sure we have a competitive offer.”

As a result, Renault’s Leaf rival isn’t expected to land until around 2022, when the cost of battery technology should be more in line with the level of pricing the firm is aiming to achieve with the EV. The model, previewed by our exclusive images, is likely to be based around the Renault Symbioz concept, which announced the French manufacturer’s vision of electric and autonomous vehicle technology.

While the as-yet-unnamed family car is likely to feature a more modest design over the concept, it is expected to inherit some of the show model’s more striking touches – such as the exaggerated daytime running lights at the front and rear.

The production car will sit on an all-new dedicated EV platform, which will also be available to the Alliance partners, designed to give the sort of passenger space from the segment above. The larger battery size means it’s likely the forthcoming electric family car will feature a slightly raised ride height, a theme that will become common with electric vehicles. It should offer a real-world range of more than 250 miles.

This idea of improved cabin space was touched upon with the Symbioz, and is something that will become a staple feature in future electric models; the EV platform’s packaging should allow it to offer more room inside for a car with relatively compact external dimensions.

Speaking about the Alliance’s new electric architecture, Feunteun said: “If you look at a dedicated EV platform, it will bring a lot of value that hybrid platforms can’t. On the EV platforms, you will be able to have one segment difference from the inside to the outside of the car. That’s fantastic value.”

Do you like the look of our exclusive images of Renault's Nissan Leaf rival? Let us know your thoughts below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the our team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss
Renault boss, Luca de Meo, stood next to Renault 5
News

Hydrogen and efuel cars can help save the European auto industry, says Renault boss

Renault boss, Luca de Meo’s strategy to save Europe’s car industry includes a bigger role for hydrogen
21 Mar 2024
Stop regulating us out of business and make a plan: Renault boss attacks politicians
Luca De Meo - Renault
News

Stop regulating us out of business and make a plan: Renault boss attacks politicians

As cheap Chinese EVs pose an existential risk to the car industry, a top French exec warns political leaders that leaders ‘the prosperity of Europe is…
19 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 - front
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

The much-loved Renault 5 is back in action as a brand new electric car. Here's everything you need to know about it...
28 Feb 2024

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024