She was one of the stars of the last Paris Motor Show. And his first commercial steps are flawless. According to the firm AAA-Data, some 3,316 R5s were registered in November in France. For its commercial debut, it takes the lead in the ranking of the best-selling electric cars in the country, ahead of the Model Y from the American Tesla (with 3,175 units sold) and the Citroën e-C3 (1,239 registrations). Its market share in electricity stood at 14% over the month.
A flying start, therefore, in an electric market which remains difficult. If this segment experienced a rebound in terms of market share, going from 15% to 17% over one month, sales for the month of November fell by no less than 25%, to 23,255 vehicles, over one year. For the R5, this is only the beginning, and it will be necessary to confirm in the face of increasingly tough competition. But Guillaume Sicard, sales director of Renault France, is not shying away from his pleasure. HAS The Tribunehe said to himself “very satisfied with the first figures and the commercial launch” of the new baby of the diamond brand. The R5 demonstrates, according to him, « that electric can be both accessible and desirable”.
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No room for error
It must be said that with the R5, Renault has no room for error. The city car constitutes the armed wing of the group to finally democratize the electric car. Assembled in Douai (Hauts-de-France), it illustrates Renault's strategy in this technology. The group has, in fact, chosen to bet everything on assembly lines entirely dedicated to electricity. Unlike its rival Stellantis, which focuses on so-called “multi-energy” lines. The latter make it possible to assemble cars with electric, hybrid or thermal engines. The objective is to adapt to the evolution of the electricity market, especially in the case where customers, as is generally the case today, are hesitant to take this step.
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To market its R5, Renault has chosen to first market its most efficient and most expensive versions. The so-called “comfort autonomy” version, equipped with a 52 kWh battery and allowing you to drive up to 410 km without recharging, is available from 33,490 euros (excluding ecological bonus). Since November 13, a version called “urban autonomy” has been open for orders. It has a smaller battery, 40 kWh, and a lower range (312 kilometers). All at a lower price, starting from 27,990 euros. We will have to wait until the first half of next year to see the arrival of a more economical version, the “version five”. This will also have a small battery, but with a less powerful 95 horsepower motor. Its price is announced below 25,000 euros.
A reduced bonus
Its launch will constitute a strategic moment for this car, and more broadly for Renault's electric offensive. Especially since 2025 will be the year of a tightening of the European Union's CO2 standards, with possibly large fines for manufacturers who do not sell enough electric cars…
Renault will also have to deal with lower state subsidies. The government decree significantly reducing the ecological bonus was published this Sunday, and has been in effect since Monday. Assistance for the purchase of an electric car, which could reach up to 7,000 euros for the most modest households, is now, at most, only 4,000 euros. This aid now decreases, up to 2,000 euros, depending on income level. Renault, like other manufacturers, fears that this reduced financial support from the State will hamper sales of electric cars.
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