Renault 5 - Range, charging & running costs

We’ve yet to sample the 40kWh-battery model, but found that we could just about match the claimed efficiency figures in the 52kWh model. Renault claims a 249-mile range is possible and on a warm day, driving quite gently with small sections of motorway, we were able to hit around five miles/kWh – enough to match that 249-mile figure. 

However, like all EVs, the R5 needs ideal conditions to reach these sorts of figures, so if the temperature drops or a higher proportion of your driving is on motorways, you’ll see a drop in overall efficiency. Renault does fit a heat pump to all models to lessen the effect of cold weather, but if long-range driving is on the agenda, the Renault 5 might not be ideal as a full-time companion. 

The car is relatively simple in its technical make-up, and thanks to its low weight, parts like tyres and brakes should remain resilient. In fact, like most EVs, the general reliance on regenerative braking will mean wear on the friction brake components will be very low. 

There’s a B mode accessible through the gear selector, which will put on more regenerative braking force, but not enough to bring you to a full stop. There’s also no ability to tailor the amount of regen force within the drive modes – the two options are all you have.

Electric range, battery life and charge time

Renault’s peak DC charge rate for the 5 is rated at 100kW on the 52kWh model, and this will top up the car from 15 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. This isn’t groundbreaking, but then it is equivalent to many key rivals, including the latest electric MINI. The Renault also has an AC charge rate of 11kW for home wallbox charging that’ll manage a 10 to 100 per cent charge in around four and a half hours. 

The R5 is also the first Renault to have V2L (vehicle to load) capability, which through the use of a small accessory plugged into the charge port can power tools or appliances up to 220W. 

In some European countries, the R5 also has a V2G (vehicle to grid) facility, which is able to sell electricity back to the grid when under high demand, recharging the batteries when demand is low and therefore electricity is sold at a cheaper rate. This isn’t yet confirmed for the UK, and requires some smart home charging devices to tap into, but the technology is there if and when this sort of service is available.

Tax

For now, like most EVs the R5 does not attract any VED charges, but beyond April 2025 the rules will change. From then on, the R5 will attract a first-year VED rate of £10, rising to £190 per year thereafter. Given that the car comes in under the £40,000 threshold, there’s no luxury car tax addition.

Company car tax or Benefit in Kind (BiK) is charged at the lowest 2 per cent rate, as per all EVs, but beyond the 2024 tax year these rates will slowly increase year on year to 5 per cent by 2027/2028. This is still significantly lower than for most petrol or hybrid cars, which can run as high as 25 per cent. 

As an EV, the R5 is also exempt from the ULEZ and Congestion Charge in London, at least until 2025.

Insurance groups

Insurance groupings have yet to be released as the model is still a few months away from its UK on-sale date.

Depreciation

Depreciation rates have yet to be confirmed, but we’ll update this section when they are available.