The Renault 5 could offer up to 500 km of autonomy by 2026. © Renault
The lack of autonomy, or even the versatility of small electric vehicles, even though they sell more expensively than their thermal counterparts, prevents the greatest number of adoption of this so-called cleaner mobility. All manufacturers are working on it, from the Stellenbosch Group which promises up to 500 km on the group’s next city cars, with the Peugeot e-208 in the lead, to Renault which announces the same distance. According to L’Argus.
Something to seduce a little more
The Renault 5 is a pure aesthetic achievement, which turns heads in passing, but beyond that, it falls within the norm in terms of consumption and autonomy, creating a certain disappointment. Nothing disturbing, he neither hurt others nor bad, but the expectations were high.
The Renault 4 E-Tech, reminiscent of the 4L of yesteryear, doesn’t do much better in terms of autonomy, while offering a less outrageous style in exchange for a generous interior.
The Renault 4 E-Tech, more family-friendly, should benefit greatly from this improved autonomy to come. © Aurélien Piot/Les Numériques
In both cases, the technical basis is the same (AmpR Small Platform), such as 40 and 52 kWh motors and battery packs. The R4 and R5 offer 300/400 km and 312/410 km respectively depending on the pack selected. Battery life that’s good enough for everyday use, but will prove too short for longer trips.
Luca Di Meo, CEO of Renault, during an interview with our colleagues L’ArgusHowever, it announced autonomy of up to 500 km for 2026 on both models.
An LFP battery in the pipes
We expected it at the end of our recent test of the R5 and Renault delivers. LFP (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate) batteries have a significantly lower energy density than NMC (Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt), but are available at much lower prices.
The entry-level models’ 40 kWh NMC battery will give way to an LFP, giving a range of 400 km compared to the current 312 km, cutting the starting price below €25,000.
© Aurélien Piot/Les Numériques
Renault will use technology to do this. Sale to packwhich allows you to integrate cells directly into the pack without a battery module. This makes it possible to store more space in the same space, therefore yielding more valuable kilowatt-hours.
As for the 52 kWh battery, it will still stick to NMC chemistry, but should evolve to produce better energy density to offer more in the same size as it already does. Ultimately, the 2026 R5 Autonomie Confort will deliver a WLTP of up to 500 km, a welcome increase of around 25%.
