Your questions about E-Tech electric technology

Electric cars compare well to combustion-powered cars in terms of reliability.

Renault has developed E-Tech technology based on its expertise in electric cars and its experience in F1, and with the support of its engineering teams to make it as reliable as possible:

Electric motors are less complicated and have fewer parts and therefore require less maintenance. Problems are therefore easier to deal with and repair than on a combustion-powered vehicle.

Their components are just as robust and durable as those on combustion-powered vehicles, and more than 30,000 employees throughout the Renault network have already been trained to assist you with the maintenance of your E-Tech electric vehicle.

The vehicles with E-Tech electric technology that we offer today are the result of years of work that have proven successful in Zoe since 2012. We are proud of the fact that our electric expertise allows us to develop new technologies that make electric cars even more reliable.

Initially yes, and then no.
Yes, because making them has a higher carbon footprint than making combustion-powered vehicles.
And no, because the only polluting particles that they emit when driving come from the brakes and wear on the tyres.
Over their life cycle, it is fair to say that electric cars pollute... up to 81% less than combustion engine cars.

To find out more about the carbon impact of electric cars, you can consult the study published on 21 April 2020 by Transport & Environnement (T&E).

It is very easy to start an electric car, but it is essential to do it correctly.

Regardless of your model (ignition key or start/stop button), you need to keep your foot on the brake pedal to validate the start-up procedure. You can then take your foot off the pedal and the vehicle will start silently. Because it is 100% electric, it will not make any noise, but your dashboard will confirm that it is on.

You do not use the clutch to travel forwards or to reverse; instead you use the selection lever and the accelerator pedal to indicate your choice. Press on the brake to slow down or stop. The vehicle stops and starts the motor by itself. After starting, you can enjoy flexible driving with dynamic pick-up and clean, instant acceleration.

In theory, pretty much anywhere. All you need to charge an electric vehicle is electricity, therefore any socket is a potential charging point.

You will often find so-called “public” sockets in car parks, shopping centres, on the motorway and in some carsharing networks. Many dealerships also offer charging points, including more than 400 Renault locations. The charging points there offer faster charging (i.e. on average 1.5 hours for an 80% charge).

The advantages:

• the MyRenault app helps you to plan your routes according to the charging points available,
• charge pass, provided when your electric vehicle is delivered, gives you access to the largest charging‑station networks in Europe, including Plug Inn fast charge and Ionity.

Charging your 100% electric car:

• At home, plug it into a domestic socket (reinforced or standard) or your wall-mounted charging point. Renault helps you with the installation of your home charging solution. Order your home charging solution when you buy your new Renault in the dealership.

• On the road, stop at one of the many public charging points. In a rush? Try the quick charge stations. Use the route planner to locate the nearest station and then charge pass to pay easily at most public stations.

The charging time depends on your vehicle and the charge type. You can recover up to 300 km of WLTP driving range in 30 minutes using rapid charging with Megane E-Tech electric.

To take full advantage of quick charging, we recommend charging the battery only when your remaining driving range is less than 20% and to stop at the maximum value of 80%.

Charging costs vary depending on the operator. Billing methods also vary, either charging per kW or by charging time (at quick charge stations).

For optimal charging when travelling, the route planner proposes the best possible journey, taking into consideration the battery, the vehicle’s remaining driving range, road conditions, and the availability of charging stations (types of stations and their rates). For example, with the route planner on Megane E-Tech electric*, depending on how you programme your route, you can condition the battery to make rapid charging as efficient as possible.

_{* depending on version}

Renault helps you with the installation of your home charging solution. Order your charging solution in the dealership when you order your new Renault E‑Tech electric or E-Tech plug-in hybrid vehicle. 

As is often the case, the answer is several people rather than just one.

There are a few key moments that help us to retrace the origins:

• In 1830, Scotsman Robert Anderson invented a kind of electric carriage.
• In around 1835, Thomas Davenport followed by creating a small electric locomotive.
• In 1859, Gaston Planté invented the first rechargeable battery, which was then further improved by Camille Faure in 1881.
• In around 1895, a photo shows Thomas Parker posing next to an electric car. He was known for inventing the equipment that powered the first electric tramways, so it is feasible that he was the inventor of the car in the photo... but we cannot be absolutely certain.
• Renault helped to popularise electric cars with the launch of Renault Zoé in 2012.