The Groupe Renault released the report on the worldwide sales results for 2019 and it had some important information about electric cars.
Let’s see the most interesting parts of the press release.
For the group, 2020 will mark a new stage in its electric offensive with the launch of Twingo Z.E. and the deployment of its new E-Tech hybrid and plug-in hybrid offers.
Renault finally confirmed the launch of the Renault Twingo ZE for this year. We can expect it to be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show which takes place in 5-15 March 2020. There are some rumors that this car is already being produced and tested on public roads, therefore soon we should start seeing some spy shots.
Worldwide sales of the group’s electric vehicles rose 23.5% to 62,447 vehicles. New ZOE, launched at the end of 2019, will be the flagship of the electric range in 2020. In the light commercial electric vehicle segment, Kangoo Z.E. remains the undisputed leader, with a growth of 19.2% to 10,349 vehicles. In China, the group launched Renault City K-ZE in November and recorded 2,658 sales in two months.
After its launch in China, there’s the possibility that the Renault City K-ZE will be sold in Europe under the Dacia brand.
Renault City K-ZE
Previously Renault feared that a Twingo ZE could cannibalize the sales of the ZOE. But now the new Renault ZOE can easily differentiate itself from a smaller and cheaper electric car with its improved interior, WLTP range of 395 km and a price above 30.000 euros.
The Renault Twingo ZE will have in the VW electric triplets its most direct alternatives.
Some guesses about the WLTP range and battery capacity…
The Renault City K-ZE has a 30 kWh (26,8 kWh usable) battery pack, while the ŠKODA CITIGOe iV has a 36,8 kWh (32,3 kWh usable) battery enough for a WLTP range of 265 km.
If the Renault Twingo ZE gets the same battery capacity as the City K-ZE it will be enough for a WLTP range of 210-220 km.
In my opinion a 30 kWh battery pack would be the sweet spot to allow an affordable price and don’t take sales away from the ZOE. However, with this battery capacity the Twingo ZE will have less range than the VW electric triplets, so I expect it to be considerably cheaper. If it costs more than 15.000 euros after government subsidies, it’ll be a major disappointment.
Anyway, in the coming years small electric cars will be very important in Europe. They are perfect for young buyers that don’t want an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car, but can’t afford to pay a lot more than 15.000 euros for a new electric car. Moreover, these electric cars will also be very popular in car sharing fleets.
What do you think? What price and range do you expect the Renault Twingo ZE to have and remain competitive against the VW electric triplets?
