Renault Megane e-Vision
With a growing concern over CO2 emissions in the automotive sector, electric vehicles will play an increasingly important role in the future. Many carmakers have already put measures in place to ensure a successful electrification transition and Renault is leading from the front with it’s next-generation of electric vehicles, starting with the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
The Future Of Renault Electric Vehicles
Renault first revealed the Megane E-Tech Electric in 2020 as a concept car which will be its first all-electric vehicle in the European small family segment based on the new Renault/Nissan CMF-EV modular platform, underpinning it’s cousin, the Nissan Ariya. They are already in the process of testing a fleet of 30 pre-production Renault Megane E-Tech Electrics on the open road in France with much anticipation.
While the pre-production versions look similar to the concept car from late last year, there are a few small details that need some attention. The first is the almost stuck-on Renault badge that could look so much better followed by the placement of the charging port. In the test vehicles, they’ve put it at the rear of the right-hand side front guard which could cause some issues.
If they don’t change the design before finalising the production version, especially for right-hand drive (RHD) models, there may be several charging stations where the charging lead simply won’t reach the socket. Considering the success of the current Renault Zoe, Renault Kangoo and Nissan LEAF, they really should put it in the nose or the passenger side, as with the right-hand drive versions of the Nissan Ariya.
Specifications Of The New Renault Megane E-Tech Electric
The new electric Renault Megane will have a 60 kWh battery driving the front wheels with an estimated range of about 450km, which isn’t bad at all. Charging will be up to 22kW AC and 130kW DC placing the base model just below the Nissan Ariya in terms of pricing and specification as the Ariya gets a standard 65 kWh or an optional 90 kWh battery.
The 4210 mm long and 1800mm wide electric Renault Megane is smaller than the 4595 mm-long Nissan Ariya but placed neatly between the Hyundai Kona electric (4205mm) and the Kia e-Niro (4375mm).
Renault does have options, though, especially for the top-end electric Megane with all the Nissan Ariya parts. That includes the readily available larger batteries and more powerful two-wheel or all-wheel drive systems that have already been developed.
There is currently limited information about the interior but recent teaser images from Renault showed a minimalist dashboard layout but it does have plenty of touchscreen action.
Renault Electric Vehicles Setting The Pace
The Renault Megane badge is hailed as the first Renault model range to move to ‘electric-only’ as part of the ‘Renaulution’. For those who don’t know, the ‘Renaulution’ plan involves introducing 25 new models to the Groupe Renault portfolio by 2025 with ten being fully electric.
The expected launch of the production Renault Megane E-Tech Electric production version is late this year or early 2022 with European sales likely sometime in the second half of 2022. If the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric is made for the right-hand drive UK market, it could make its way to Australia. However, it remains unclear whether South Africa will see the newest electric vehicles from Renault.
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