Skip advert
Advertisement

EVs outlasting ICE cars says Renault boss

Electric car batteries are holding up very well against the test of time

Renault Zoe - front tracking

Electric vehicles will have greater long-term life than petrol or diesel models according to Renault, with the company’s CEO Luca de Meo saying batteries are proving to have more longevity than early predictions.

“EVs will last longer than ICE because there are fewer moving parts; contrary to what people thought would happen, batteries are lasting a lot longer than they were expected to,” said de Meo at the launch of a new partnership with recycling expert SUEZ. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The goal of the new venture is to develop the “circular economy” and use more recycled materials in new car production, plus increase the usage of recycled parts as replacements in existing cars. It also aims to tighten up the collection and treatment of vehicles at the end of their life to reuse and recycle more components.

As well as being more environmentally friendly, the reusing, refurbishing, repairing and remanufacturing of replacement parts will, according to Renault, lead to lower costs for drivers of older cars, helping to extend the usable life of vehicles by making them cheaper to repair. 

The tie-up with SUEZ  is designed to help Renault to position itself among what it described as the “standard-setters in the automotive industry’s circular economy”. It sees the environmental expert take a 20 per cent stake in a company called The Future is Neutral, with Renault owning the other 80 per cent. The company is aiming to attract other carmakers, as well as equipment manufacturers, distributors, insurers and private customers. 

Low costs and even lower emissions! These are the cheapest electric cars on sale...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Paul Barker - editor, Auto Express
Former editor

As the former editor, Paul’s job was to steer the talented group of people that work across Auto Express and Driving Electric, as well as guiding the titles to even bigger and better things by bringing the latest important stories to our readers. Paul has been writing about cars and the car industry since 2000, working for consumer and business magazines as well as freelancing for national newspapers, industry titles and a host of major publications.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Which cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full ECG list with our best (and worst) picks
Electric car charging mega test - Renault 5 front angled

Which cars qualify for the electric car grant? Full ECG list with our best (and worst) picks

Around 60 electric cars are now eligible for a Government-funded discount. Which should you go for from the ever-growing list?
News
17 Jul 2026
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon 30/06/26

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2026, 2027 and beyond

Here are the most important new cars from Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
30 Jun 2026
Best 60s cars: the 35 greatest cars of the 1960s
Best cars of the 1960s - header image

Best 60s cars: the 35 greatest cars of the 1960s

The swinging sixties brought a vast array of unforgettable cars that would establish the path of the industry for decades to come. We pick our top 35 …
Best cars & vans
16 Jun 2026
New “tipping point” in UK EV demand: breakthrough or flash in the pan?
Renault 5 - front full width

New “tipping point” in UK EV demand: breakthrough or flash in the pan?

Enquiries for Renault EVs have risen by 42 per cent since 28 February, says the French brand’s UK boss
News
5 May 2026

Most Popular

Electricity VAT axe to make EV charging cheaper, but not if you can’t charge at home
Vauxhall Astra GSE connected to a home wallbox charger

Electricity VAT axe to make EV charging cheaper, but not if you can’t charge at home

VAT on domestic electricity will be scrapped from October, thus widening the gap between home and public charging
News
21 Jul 2026
New Jeep hybrid SUV aims to out-muscle Land Rover's Defender, with some help from China
Jeep D-segment SUV - front static

New Jeep hybrid SUV aims to out-muscle Land Rover's Defender, with some help from China

Want a Defender, but can’t stretch to one? Jeep’s new cut-priced family SUV should be cheap to buy, and to run…
News
20 Jul 2026
New Audi A2 e-tron drops some camo to reveal retro design
Audi A2 e-tron spy shot - front cornering

New Audi A2 e-tron drops some camo to reveal retro design

Audi’s cutting-edge new BEV promises to channel the innovation of its iconic predecessor
News
20 Jul 2026

Find a car with the experts