The Renault 5 E-Tech: France’s Best-Selling Electric Vehicle

The Renault 5 E-Tech, which came out in France in 2024, is a battery-powered city automobile that looks like the original but is cheaper and more modern. Because it was incredibly cheap and looked like an old car, it immediately became France’s best-selling electric vehicle.

Prices in France and help from the government

One good thing about the R5 in France is that it is cheap. A tax incentive for eco-friendly electric automobiles built in France that have a tiny carbon effect makes this easier.

Prices: Prices vary depending on the style and size of the battery. The five-trim model is the cheapest, costing roughly €25,000. The Iconic model costs the most, almost €36,000, and has a bigger battery.

Ask the government for help: The environmental bonus gives customers up to €5,000 in support, which lowers the ultimate price a lot.

Possible rental locations: There are also good finance options for the car that make it possible for people with different budgets to buy it.

Changes and details of Renault 5 E-Tech

There are two types of batteries and powertrains available for the Renault 5 E-Tech, so it can meet the needs of a lot of individuals.

You can get 40 kWh of range from either a 90 kW (120 hp) or a 70 kW (95 hp) electric motor.

Comfort Range: A 110 kW (150 hp) motor and a 52 kWh battery.

The 120 hp kind can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, which is rather fast.

This one accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, which is a bit faster.

The range (WLTP) is roughly 300–312 km with a 40 kWh battery.

A 52-kWh battery can take you around 400–412 kilometres.

Being able to charge

Both models may be charged with up to 11 kW of AC electricity. It takes about 6.5 hours to fully charge the 40 kWh battery on a 7 kW wallbox, and about 8.5 hours for the 52 kWh battery.

The 40 kWh model can be charged with up to 80 kW, while the 52 kWh model can be charged with up to 100 kW. A charger that works with both sizes can charge batteries quickly. It takes roughly 30 minutes to charge from 15% to 80%.

Sending power in both directions: The Renault R5’s new AC charger can charge devices that use either V2L or V2G technologies. This lets the car transfer power back to the grid or charge other things.

The way it looks and feels of Renault 5 E-Tech

The outer styling is a blend of new and old, and it looks a lot like the original Renault 5. The automobile stands out because of its “cheeky” LED headlights, vertical taillights, and huge wheel holes. The charge light on the hood, which appears like the air vent on the original, also has a “5” light on it.

The dashboard and seats inside are similar to those in the original R5 Turbo; they are “shelf-style.” They give you support and are comfortable. Higher trims employ materials that are good for the environment, including denim cloth that has been used before.

The R5 is only 3.92 metres long, which is shorter than the Zoe it succeeds. This makes it quite easy to drive about in cities.

The parts and technology of Renault 5 E-Tech

And they all have two screens to play with. One of the bigger screens on the higher trims is for the driver. In the middle, there is a 10.1-inch tablet with Google software integrated in for navigation and apps. The buttons for controlling the temperature are still easy to reach underneath the screen.

The R5 has a variety of safety features, like clever adaptive cruise control and active emergency braking. In 2024, EU NCAP gave it four stars for safety.

Reno’s avatar: Renault has released a new AI assistant named Reno. You can do a variety of things using voice commands, like alter the temperature.

The condition of the French market

The Renault 5 E-Tech did quite well when it first came out in France.

In charge of sales: It immediately became the best-selling BEV, in part because of environmental benefits in France that favour cars built in the nation.

Making: The Renault ElectriCity factory in northern France is where the automobile is built.

Appeal to locals: French clients love how cheap it is and how old it appears. The brand also highlights its French roots through design features like the baguette case that you may buy on its own.