Comparing electric vehicles – Renault Group brands at the forefront
Published on
How to choose the best electric car, whether city or road? When playing at comparing electric vehicles, Renault Group brands stand out. Technology, design, versatility, performance… Here is a look back at a rich and varied range, an offer for all tastes and uses.
Comparing electric vehicles, the objective criteria to take into consideration are numerous: range, equipment, embedded technologies, without forgetting value-for-money of course.
Let’s address all these points together and at the end of this article, you will know which electric vehicle suits you best and why.
Range and energy consumption: how to choose the electric car most suited for your daily needs?
If you want to know which would be the best electric car for you, start by identifying the profile of your trips. Are they mainly urban, peri-urban, long distance or mixed? Indeed, each use corresponds to needs in terms of range, energy consumption, charging or even driving comfort.
Range: a key criterion to choose your electric vehicle
The range of an electric vehicle corresponds to the distance that an electric vehicle can travel using its battery, it is measured by two indicators:
- Battery capacity (expressed in kWh): the higher this capacity, the more your car will travel long distances with a full charge.
- WLTP range (expressed in km): this is an estimate of the maximum distance your vehicle will travel with a full charge.
WLTP range is a theoretical figure, measured under very standardized conditions. Real range depends on certain factors: your driving style, road relief, weather conditions, intensity of use of interior equipment or even tire condition.
WLTP range remains however a reliable comparison indicator between electric cars, important to consider in order to identify the best electric vehicles in a category.
Charging speed depends on several factors
The charging speed of the battery, expressed in kW, is also an essential criterion. It is necessary to distinguish the power on AC charge (alternating current) for domestic or city stations and the power on DC charge (direct current) for large chargers along highways. The power tolerated by your car corresponds to the maximum level that a charger can provide. Thus, it only takes half an hour to recharge from 15 to 80% the battery of Renault 5 E-Tech electric thanks to its 100 kW DC charging power.
Top 5 Renault Group electric vehicles with the best range
Here are a few examples of Renault latest models’ range under the WLTP cycle which serves as reference:
- 625 km Scenic E-Tech electric and its 87 kWh battery
- 470 km for Megane E-Tech electric and its 60 kWh battery
- 410 km for R4 and R5 E-Tech electric
Let's look at the versatility of Renault Group electric cars in real-world terms. Aboard Renault cars you can, on average :
- travel from Paris to Bordeaux in six hours via the highway with two charges, which requires a 45-minute stop.
- travel from Paris to Lyon in less than five hours on the highway with a single 28-minute stop to recharge the battery.
- travel from Marseille to Toulouse in just over four hours with a 15-minute break at a charging station.
Finally, on board all electric models of the Renault range, a gauge on the dashboard indicates the minimum, maximum and real mileage according to the instantaneous consumption that the vehicle can travel. Like the display of instantaneous consumption on a combustion car, the driver thus always has clear markers to take the road with peace of mind.
If we swap long trips for home-work trips, counting 40 to 50 km per day, all these vehicles will ensure a week of travel without the need to be recharged.
And for even more urban and shorter trips, Mobilize offers two micro-vehicles perfectly adapted:
- Duo, the micro-city car, shows a range of 160 km. It is enough to roam the city in its smallest corners, with or without a license. A real compromise between car and two-wheeler, it is particularly manoeuvrable, and its ground surface is halved compared to a classic city car. So that you can park three Duos side by side in one parking space!
- Bento, the micro-utility, has nearly 150 km of range. With its more than 800 liters of useful volume, it can deliver and/or transport equipment without getting tired!
Energy consumption: another indicator to watch closely
Energy consumption is expressed in number of kWh needed to travel 100 km. It therefore provides an indication of battery performance on one hand, and on the other hand of the efficiency of the engine and equipment.
Low energy consumption means two things: higher range and a lighter electricity bill since you will need to recharge less often. Interesting, isn’t it?
- In WLTP cycle, electric vehicles from the Renault range show an average consumption of 15 kWh/100 km, which places them among the best electric vehicles on the market in terms of energy efficiency.
- The sportier Alpine A290, and spacious Scenic E-Tech electric, are respectively at 16 and 17 kWh, which is quite economical considering their characteristics.
Although it mainly depends on the efficiency of the engine and battery, the energy efficiency of an electric car is also linked to its weight. Thus, Renault Group teams pay particular attention to controlling the weight of vehicles — the lighter a car is, the less it consumes.
Models such as Renault 4 E-Tech electric, Renault 5 E-Tech electric or even Alpine A290 therefore weigh less than 1500 kg.
What are the advantages of the electric vehicle?
Electric car vs combustion car: the comparison no longer really holds.
In 2025, electric vehicles are much more than an alternative mobility: they represent a rational, coherent… and even obvious choice! In particular:
- A reduced environmental impact. An electric car emits, in fact, no exhaust gases. When powered with low-carbon electricity like in France, its carbon footprint is halved compared to a comparable combustion vehicle! And this, over the entire life cycle of the vehicle: sourcing, manufacturing, use and recycling.
- Moreover, with a recyclability rate above 85% for Renault 4 E-Tech electric and Renault 5 E-Tech electric, our most recent models stand out particularly in terms of circular economy.
- A driving pleasure like no other. Absolute silence on board, immediate acceleration, instantly available torque, almost nonexistent vibrations: driving an electric vehicle is rediscovering the pleasure of movement, quite simply.
- A wide range for all needs. From the XXL range of Scenic E-Tech to the 420L trunk of the R4 E-Tech, through the ultra-fast recharges of the R5 E-Tech or the sporty temperament of the Alpine A290, there is an electric for every driver.
- Real batteries on wheels. Have you ever heard of bidirectional charging? With V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) technology, your electric car becomes a mobile battery to recharge your devices or even send stored energy back to the grid in case of high demand. With your electric vehicle, you become a “driver” in more ways than one…
Renault Group, pioneer of electric cars
With nearly 2.3 million vehicles sold in 2024 – including 1.6 million for the Renault brand – Renault Group remains a global automotive leader.
However, whether for Renault Group or all European car manufacturers, the share of electric vehicles sold in Europe does not exceed 15% of total sales. Supporting our customers in choosing electric mobility and its many advantages is at the heart of the company’s strategy.
Renault Group and electric vehicles: a story lasting more than ten years
It was at the turn of the 2010s that Renault Group resolutely launched into electric mobility with Kangoo Z.E., then ZOE. From a pioneer role, the company has risen to a true specialist in electric motorization and now has around ten electric vehicles within its brands.
Symbol of this expertise, the creation of Ampere in 2021 will allow the Group to accelerate even more.
- Ampere is the division of Renault Group specialized in the design and production of electric vehicles: it currently has 11,000 employees.
- Its stronghold is ElectriCity, this hub bringing together several assembly plants in Northern France: Douai, Maubeuge and Ruitz, accompanied by the Normandy site of Cléon for the manufacture of electric motors.
The strike force of Ampere ElectriCity relies on this complete ecosystem – motorization, gearboxes, vehicle assembly… – built around the electric vehicle, to which is added the AESC gigafactory located in Douai, which notably supplies its batteries to Renault 5 E-Tech electric.
Ampere uses platforms dedicated to electric vehicles to produce the best family electric cars of segment C (AmpR Medium for Megane or Scenic), the best city electric cars of segment B (AmpR Small for R4, R5 and A290), as well as very efficient electric utility vehicles.
Strong choices that say a lot about the group’s ambition
The most reliable electric cars in 2025: the Renault Group experience
A study published in 2025 by ADAC (Germany’s Automobile Club, with over 20 million members) reveals that electric vehicles are less prone to breakdowns than their combustion-engine counterparts. This finding applies to both vehicles aged between 2 and 4 years and those older than 4 years.
The reason is simple: electric vehicles are built on a streamlined architecture, free from complex mechanical components such as clutches, gearboxes, injectors, or timing belts. Fewer parts mean fewer breakdowns and less costly replacements.
In this favourable context for electric vehicles, Renault leverages several strengths to ensure outstanding reliability:
- Renault is a pioneer in electric vehicles in Europe. Its E-Tech electric technology draws on the brand’s extensive experience, dating back to the launch of the ZOE in 2012.
- This reliability is also fueled by Renault’s expertise in Formula 1, a discipline that has incorporated electric power since 2014, particularly through energy recovery during braking.
- Over 30,000 Renault network employees are already trained in electric vehicle maintenance. You’re in good hands !
Best value-for-money electric cars: Renault Group innovates while keeping prices in check
Although more expensive upfront, electric cars offer better value over their entire lifecycle compared to fully combustion or hybrid vehicles. Electric vs. combustion or hybrid: once again, electric is gaining the upper hand!
- Combustion engines involve recurring and specific maintenance costs: oil changes, belts, exhaust systems, numerous parts, and wear due to combustion. On average, electric vehicle maintenance costs are estimated to be 30% lower than those of combustion vehicles.
- Fuel costs for combustion or hybrid vehicles are significantly higher than for electric ones. With an electric car, driving 100 km costs between €2 and €4 when charging at home (depending on peak or off-peak hours). For combustion or hybrid vehicles, expect to pay €7 for a highly efficient car (4L/100km) and around €10 in most cases (5–6L/100km).
Accelerating electric vehicle development to lower prices
Despite its clear advantages, the purchase price of an electric car remains a barrier for many consumers. This is partly due to manufacturing costs, which are reflected in the final price. That’s where Ampere plays a key role by shortening vehicle development time. Its roadmap outlines a 40% reduction in development costs between the first and second generations of electric vehicles designed by the entity.
This strategy is already bearing fruit: Ampere has successfully reduced the development time of the Twingo from five years to just two. This allows the car to be offered at a starting price of €20,000.
Onboard innovations that make a difference
Beyond pricing efforts, innovations and services that enhance the onboard experience are strong arguments in favor of electric vehicles.
Did you know that…
- Renault is the first manufacturer in the world to offer a one-piece illuminated grille on the R4?
A challenge brilliantly met by the brand and its French suppliers (Valeo and OP Mobility), reinforcing the model’s retro-futuristic aesthetic. - Renault has partnered with top acoustic brands?
- Harman/Kardon for the Renault 4 and Renault 5 E-Tech electric, and Devialet for the Alpine A290. You’ll enjoy an immersive experience, comfortably seated in your cockpit. Renault’s latest models also benefit from a collaboration with Jean-Michel Jarre. The artist, composer, and pioneer of electronic music has designed the onboard soundscapes and the external alert sound emitted by the electric vehicle below 30 km/h to warn pedestrians (VSP – Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians).
- The Alpine A290 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.4 seconds?
Even better, its patented “Overtake” function instantly delivers the full 220 hp, allowing you to overtake faster than you can say “Molière” (well, almost).
Lastly, these electric models are naturally equipped with the latest generation of driver assistance systems. By combining contextual cruise control, lane centering, and geolocation, they’ve been able to adapt predictively to road layouts for several years now.
Because your safety, your loved ones’ safety, and your driving pleasure are priceless.
In brief: which Renault Group electric car should you choose in 2025?
Time to deliver on our promise: which electric car best suits your mobility needs?
- Looking for the best stylish, compact city car that’s affordable and can recharge in just 30 minutes? The Renault 5 E-Tech electric ticks all the boxes—and then some. Within its 3.92-meter length, it offers 400 km of range, a 320-liter trunk, and the ability to tow a 500 kg trailer.
- Seeking a versatile adventure companion with charismatic design? The Renault 4 E-Tech electric will surprise you with its 420-liter trunk and 2.2-meter loading length once the rear bench and passenger seat backrest are folded down. Sun roof or roof bars? The choice is yours.
- Want a muscular little sports car with an immersive experience? The Alpine A290 will exceed your expectations with its refined design, sporty chassis, and F1-inspired steering wheel. Performance-wise? 220 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Wow.
- Looking for a versatile sedan where the driver is truly pampered? The Megane E-Tech electric offers a driver-focused cockpit and a central console with two 12-inch screens. You’re in control.
- Need XXL range for long journeys? The Scenic E-Tech electric delivers over 620 kilometers of autonomy. Need we say more? Yes—its 545-liter trunk lets you carry everything the whole family needs, and then some.
- Finally, looking for ultra-compact city cars for small deliveries or your child’s mobility? Mobilize’s Duo and Bento have everything it takes to win you over—style and performance included.
And if you’re not quite ready to go fully electric, hybrid powertrains might just be the solution…
Comparison of hybrid v.s electric cars in France
Key differences between hybrid and electric Vehicles
As the name suggests, a hybrid vehicle combines both a combustion engine and an electric motor. Hybrid technology comes in three main types, depending on how much the electric motor contributes:
- Mild or micro-hybrid cars, where electric assistance is limited to specific moments such as starting and accelerating. This helps improve performance and reduce fuel consumption. The battery is recharged through regenerative braking.
- Standard hybrid cars, which offer electric assistance in a wider range of driving situations and can run fully electric for a few kilometers. Fuel consumption and emissions are further reduced. The battery is still recharged via regenerative braking.
- Plug-in hybrid cars, equipped with a high-capacity battery that can be recharged via a charging station or household outlet, but also recharges while driving. At Renault, these vehicles can travel up to 100 km in full-electric mode.
Pros and cons of hybrid cars: should you choose hybrid over electric?
Hybrid vehicles offer three major advantages over fully combustion-powered models: reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions, lower operating costs compared to traditional engines, and comparable versatility—especially useful if you alternate between daily commutes and frequent long-distance trips.
However, hybrids still suffer from some drawbacks tied to their combustion components and don’t benefit from all the advantages of electric vehicles:
- Breakdowns and maintenance costs associated with combustion engines: oil changes, belts, exhaust systems, numerous mechanical parts, and wear caused by combustion.
- Fuel costs, which—even with reduced consumption—remain significantly higher than the cost of charging at home.
- Carbon footprint, which is still greater than that of a fully electric vehicle.
