Cléa Martinet answers three questions about the All-new Renault Scenic E-Tech electric’s contribution to a fairer transition
How did Renault go about transposing the sustainable development ambitions embodied by a concept car, the Scenic Vision, to a production vehicle that would be on the roads, the All-new Scenic E-Tech electric?
Cléa Martinet: The All-new Scenic E-Tech electric reveal was very special to us as it came a year after we presented the Scenic Vision – a concept car that embraced challenges surrounding climate change, resource conservation, user safety and accessibility. We have turned that vision into a reality with a production car that shares the same ambitions, providing “living” proof, out on the roads, that our vehicles are sustainable, from “cradle to grave” and even from “cradle to cradle”*. Taking climate change into consideration, safeguarding our resources and looking after users are our guiding principles as we work towards building a sustainable value chain, for a carbon-neutral future. The All-new Scenic E‑Tech electric is taking mobility and safety to new heights. Up to 24% of its materials are recycled and 90% of its mass – including the battery – is recyclable** in industrial facilities.
As the All-new Scenic E-Tech electric paves the way for lower-carbon mobility, what strategy has Renault put in place to achieve net-zero carbon emissions?
Cléa Martinet: The All-new Scenic E-Tech electric is assembled at the ElectriCity plant in Douai and benefits from its production being localised – as close as possible to the countries where it is sold – and more responsible. Renault Group is aiming for net-zero carbon emissions at its three ElectriCity plants as early as 2025, at its other production plants in Europe as early as 2030, and at all its plants worldwide by 2050. Efforts therefore need to be made across the board, focusing on production facilities, suppliers and in-use vehicle emissions while also targeting second-life applications for batteries and recycling of materials. The All-new Scenic E-Tech electric paves the way for lower-carbon mobility as so much thought went into every detail – from the resources, materials and components used to the processes followed.
First and foremost, this new family vehicle is all-electric, with zero emissions in use and no CO2 or regulated air pollutant emissions***. The modular design of its battery makes it easy to repair – at over 20 maintenance centres in Europe – and recycle. When the battery is no longer fit for use in a vehicle, it can be given a second life in stationary energy storage systems for residential or office buildings, or even mobile solutions.
As for resources, the All-new Scenic E-Tech electric’s ferrous components (structure, chassis, axles, undercarriage parts, etc.) contain an average of 37% recycled materials, while its seat covers are made from up to 100% recycled fabric, some of which comes from old seatbelts recycled through our closed loop system (which feeds materials back into the production process). Other components, visible to or touched by the passengers and driver, also incorporate recycled or renewable materials. These include the dashboard, the cockpit, the steering wheel, the floor covering, and the glass used in the innovative Solarbay opacifying sunroof.
How has Renault Group put its priority of looking after users into practice with the All-new Scenic E-Tech electric?
Cléa Martinet: Keeping users’ well-being in mind, we equipped the car with highly practical safety systems, backed by innovative technologies intended to support the person behind the wheel. Ninety percent of road accidents are attributed to human error or environmental conditions such as traffic, weather and infrastructure. The All-new Renault Scenic E-Tech electric’s safety systems (including Safety Coach and Safety Score) and post-accident management innovations (QRescue Renault, SD Switch and Fireman Access) are therefore designed to address the root causes of accidents and can help reduce their frequency by up to 70%. These tools inform drivers of their objectively assessed driving behaviour and habits and provide tailored advice on driving style and ADAS use.
* An approach that reduces vehicles’ environmental footprint across their life cycle – from design, production and use through to end-of-life management. A cradle-to-cradle production process ensures that end-of-life products can be recycled to make the same products.
** In accordance with Directive 2005/64/EC
*** In accordance with the WLTP driving cycle, excluding wear parts
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