Renault’s 5 E-Tech, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, aims to disrupt the electric vehicle market with its competitive pricing under 25,000 euros. A supertest highlighted its impressive charging efficiency, achieving 10% to 80% in 30 minutes, restoring 157 kilometers of range. The high-end version offers a WLTP range of 410 kilometers with 100 kW DC charging, while the base model with a 40 kWh battery relies on slower AC charging. Overall, it outperforms rivals like the Dacia Spring and Citroën ë-C3.
The Renault 5 E-Tech: A Game Changer in the Electric Vehicle Market
Since its grand unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, the Renault 5 E-Tech has captured significant attention in the automotive world. This electric city vehicle is poised to revolutionize the French market with its strategic positioning and competitive pricing.
Impressive Charging Capabilities
During our hands-on evaluation, we were thoroughly impressed by the performance of this newcomer, giving it a stellar rating of 10/10. Such accolades are rare, especially for a vehicle with a starting price expected to be under 25,000 euros. The excitement surrounding the Renault 5 E-Tech was further amplified by a detailed supertest conducted by experts from Automobile Propre.
In their comprehensive analysis, the small city car was subjected to rigorous testing, and one aspect stood out: its charging efficiency. Initially, Renault claimed that the R5 E-Tech could charge from 15% to 80% in around 30 minutes, which translates to about 35 minutes from 10% to 80%. While these figures are decent, they aren’t groundbreaking.
However, the results from the supertest revealed that the Renault 5 E-Tech actualized the transition from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes. This is an impressive feat that should put to rest concerns for drivers who dread lengthy charging sessions. During this time, the vehicle regained approximately 157 kilometers of highway range, averaging a power output of 75 kW, which explains the longer duration compared to some competitors.
While some vehicles can handle more power during DC charging, the Renault 5 E-Tech doesn’t quite match up to its rival, the Peugeot e-208, which achieves the same charge (from 10% to 80%) in just 27 minutes while recovering 155 kilometers.
Despite this small drawback, the high-end version of the Renault 5 E-Tech, equipped with a robust 52 kWh battery, boasts an impressive WLTP range of 410 kilometers. This variant can support up to 100 kW in DC charging, ensuring quick and efficient power-ups under optimal conditions. However, not all versions share this capability; the entry-level model featuring a 40 kWh battery and a modest 90-horsepower engine will only be able to utilize AC charging, limited to 11 kW. This means it could take around 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach 80% from 10% under these constraints.
It remains to be seen if fast charging will be an option for this base model for customers looking for quicker solutions. In terms of performance, the R5 E-Tech significantly outpaces the Dacia Spring, which requires about 40 minutes for a similar charging process.
Meanwhile, the Citroën ë-C3 also impresses, taking just 26 minutes to reach 80% with its fast-charging option. Nevertheless, both models are still far behind the Zeekr 001, which can theoretically recharge in a mere 10 minutes, despite its larger battery size.