by admin | Mar 27, 2025 | battery electric vehicles, electric cars, politics of saudi arabia, saudi arabia, tesla
Tesla
has officially arrived in Saudi Arabia, with plans to start selling electric vehicles next month.
The statement, posted on the company’s official site, arrives as
Tesla
experiences a considerable drop in sales throughout Europe, partially because of
Elon Mus
K’s significant position within the U.S. government and the
Department of Government Efficiency
(DOGE).
Tesla
His arrival in Saudi Arabia bolsters the diplomatic relationship between Washington and Riyadh even more. This Middle Eastern nation is progressively adopting electric vehicles as it recognizes that its extensive oil resources won’t last indefinitely.
The firm is already active in multiple Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE, Jordan, Israel, and Qatar. Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia stands out as the biggest marketplace within this area.
The relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia has been enhancing since
Donald Trump’
Upon their return to offices, the kingdom announced significant investments in U.S. military hardware earlier this month.
(QG – Source: Newsweek – Image: © Unsplash)
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | battery electric vehicles, electric cars, electric power, sustainability, technology trends
The electric vehicle (EV) trend is becoming more robust in the Philippines, fueled by increasing gasoline prices, governmental incentives, and a stronger emphasis on environmental responsibility.
As more Filipinos contemplate transitioning to electric vehicles, a significant worry persists: charging infrastructure. Is this network growing rapidly enough to meet rising demands, or does it continue to lag behind?
The drive towards adopting electric vehicles
The Philippine government has made notable strides toward encouraging the use of electric vehicles. With the passage of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDIA) in 2022, it requires that at minimum 5% of the vehicle fleet owned by both governmental entities and commercial enterprises should consist of electric models. Additional motivations like reduced taxes and exemption from certain driving restrictions serve to attract more Filipinos towards purchasing EVs.
As a result, car manufacturers are launching additional electric vehicle (EV) models, with brands such as BYD, Tesla, Nissan, and Hyundai aggressively promoting their offerings in the marketplace. Although interest in EVs is increasing, numerous prospective purchasers hold back because of worries regarding accessible charging options.
The current situation with EV charging in the Philippines
By 2024, approximately 300 electric vehicle charging stations will be scattered throughout the nation, primarily clustered in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao. In contrast to the numerous petrol stations spread out across the country, this figure remains significantly insufficient to facilitate extensive adoption of EVs.
Public charging: Scarce and bothersome
Many public chargers can be located at places like malls, hotels, and certain gasoline stations. Although large retail hubs including SM Malls, Ayala Malls, and Robinsons have set up charging points, most of them offer only slower options needing multiple hours for complete recharge. Rapid chargers that can top off an electric vehicle within one hour continue to be rare.
Several fuel providers like Shell and Petron have started incorporating EV chargers into their outlets; however, the deployment process remains sluggish. The DOE has suggested placing charging points at intervals not exceeding 25 kilometers across principal expressways, yet this initiative hasn’t come close to materializing as planned.
In-home charging: Handy yet not universal.
Many electric vehicle (EV) owners find home charging to be the most convenient choice. Usually, a standard wall charger can completely replenish an EV’s battery within one night, which works well for everyday needs. Nonetheless, this arrangement isn’t feasible for individuals residing in condominiums or houses lacking private parking spots, thereby restricting access to EVs for numerous city residents.
Distant journey: A significant obstacle
The primary difficulty faced by electric vehicle (EV) owners in the Philippines revolves around traveling long distances. Although these vehicles operate efficiently within urban areas, embarking on journeys to provincial regions stays challenging because of insufficient charging stations along expressways and main highways.
Even though several charging stations have been set up along the southern and northern toll ways, the present count remains insufficient to make lengthy trips comfortable. Before a comprehensive quick-charging infrastructure is put in place, electric vehicle owners must meticulously map out their journeys to prevent depleting power en route.
What needs to change?
To ensure that electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities meet the growing needs, certain essential upgrades should be implemented. It’s crucial to expand high-speed charging networks particularly alongside major roads and rural pathways, which would facilitate longer journeys for EVs. Support from the authorities is necessary; this includes motivating companies to set up these stations through benefits as well as offering lower rates for power used in EV charging points to attract greater investments into the infrastructure development.
Cooperation between governmental bodies and private enterprises is crucial as well. Car manufacturers, power firms, and the administration should collaborate to hasten the installation of charging stations, following examples set successfully elsewhere around the world. Moreover, increasing public understanding poses another hurdle. Numerous Filipinos remain reluctant to make the shift to EVs because of misunderstandings regarding charge points and battery endurance. Implementing further educational initiatives might assist in clarifying these issues and persuade more buyers to look into electric cars.
The path forward for electric vehicle charging
The expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) charging network in the Philippines is underway, yet it isn’t keeping up with the rising enthusiasm for electric transportation. Even though advancements have been achieved, they need to happen more rapidly to facilitate an effortless shift towards EV use. For the nation to wholly adopt these vehicles, their refueling infrastructure should be just as convenient and dependable as conventional gas stations. The advancement toward eco-friendly travel in the Philippines hinges upon how swiftly the country embraces this modern age of electricity-based transport.
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | autos, cadillac, car models, cars, electric cars
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The Cadillac CT4 and CT5 sedans are not anticipated to have gasoline-powered replacements. Their future models might likely be fully electric vehicles instead.
The last decade has brought us several sedans from Cadillac that proved to be critical darlings but didn’t see huge, mainstream sales success. It’s tough to be a sedan in an SUV-driven world, after all. And as good as the Cadillac ATS, CTS, CT4 and CT5 have been—especially their
V-Series
and
Blackwing
Performance variations—the mainstays from Mercedes-Benz and BMW are quite challenging to surpass.
As Cadillac gets ready to discontinue the CT4 and CT5, rumors suggest that their successors will completely abandon gasoline-powered engines. Here’s what we have gathered so far.
Cadillac Electric Sedan: What Do We Know So Far?
It comes as no shock that General Motors appears to be phasing out those two Cadillac sedan models, which took over for the ATS and CTS upon their release in 2020.
Sales of the CT4 and CT5 models
They decreased by 32% and 20% last year, respectively, which made them the slowest-selling Cadillac models in 2024 except for the recently launched model.
Escalade IQ
.
Even as Cadillac is placing significant emphasis on its range of electric SUVs, which includes the newest model,
Optiq
and
Vistiq
Models certainly aims not to fall behind in the electric vehicle (EV) sedan segment. Due to improved aerodynamics, reduced overall height, and lighter weight, EV sedans typically offer the longest ranges among all types of vehicles; simply consider
Volvo’s upcoming ES90
, offering an estimated range of 435 miles according to Europe’s WLTP cycle.
GM Authority
was among the first to reveal that the successors to the CT4 and CT5 models might become fully electric. The source stated, “Sources close to the situation indicate that General Motors does not intend to produce a next-generation of the Cadillac CT5 and Cadillac CT4 equipped with conventional engines,” according to their report. “These forthcoming electric vehicles are anticipated to match the sizes of the current Cadillac CT5 and Cadillac CT6, categorizing them as ‘low hip-point’—also known as low H-point—vehicles.”
All That We Understand Expanded
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Mercedes-Benz S-Class Electric Vehicle: All the Details We’ve Gathered So Far
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Two sedans might prove intriguing, particularly as Cadillac has struggled with moving significant volumes of a single sedan model. However, should this report hold water, the strategy appears aimed at giving consumers various options regarding size and pricing to suit their preferences.
How Will the Upcoming Cadillac Electric Sedan Design Look?
Photo by: Cadillac
What’s truly fascinating is that in today’s sedan market, you must embrace risks to remain pertinent.
GM Authority
asserts that these vehicles won’t be conventional three-box sedans, but instead will feature “a sports-back design reminiscent of the Cadillac Escala Concept or perhaps even the”
Cadillac Celestiq
.”
The Escala Concept (which should not be mistaken for the Escalade) was introduced in 2016, and its design influenced a whole era of Cadillac’s production vehicles.
Celestiq
It’s an exclusive high-end sedan with a price tag starting at around $340,000. Therefore, although these cars might have comparable styling elements, their cost should be significantly lower for broader accessibility.
2024 Cadillac Celestiq reveal
This is just a speculative thought, but I’m curious if Cadillac might explore the
2022 InnerSpace Concept
For potential future models, this sleek coupé-style concept car showcased at CES a few years back had an eye-catching design. This aesthetic could be adapted successfully into a production-ready four-door model or perhaps even a sportback sedan. However, as of now, these ideas remain unconfirmed.
Cadillac Electric Sedan: Details On Price and Specifications Unavailable
Apart from those reports—which are somewhat credible—we don’t have additional information. When considering specifications, platform, and range for an upcoming Cadillac electric sedan, we can anticipate that it will likely utilize General Motors’ BEV3 platform.
Ultium
Batteries and motors, since it employs comparable power cells and structures in all its electric vehicle models nowadays. This places it alongside cousins like the Cadillac Lyriq, Optiq, Chevy Blazer EV, and Equinox EV, among others. Additionally, this new model will be the second sedan built on the Ultium platform after the Celestiq.
Considering these bigger, less streamlined vehicles can achieve ranges of 300 miles or more, one might anticipate that an upcoming Cadillac electric sedan could surpass that figure significantly. Could it potentially reach around 350 miles of range? This is just conjecture based on current observations, yet considering the performance demonstrated by Ultium SUVs and following market trends, such expectations seem plausible.
Cadillac Electric Sedan: Could It Be V-Series or Blackwing?
Photo by: Cadillac
Given Cadillac’s successful foray into branding and motorsports with its V-Series and Blackwing performance variants, we can expect these sedans to receive comparable upgrades. Cadillac has already embarked on this path.
getting ready the Lyriq-V with 615 horsepower
, and it is expected to be the fastest vehicle in the brand’s lineup. This matches our expectations for a future high-performance Cadillac sedan.
When Is It Going to Be Available for Purchase?
Cadillac InnerSpace Autonomous Concept
Unfortunately, we do not have any information about a potential release date. However, considering that both the CT5 and CT4 models remain available with their updated 2026 versions, it appears unlikely to happen soon. Should these electric vehicles receive approval for manufacturing, an introduction later this decade would be more probable.
The Competition
It’s difficult to predict the competition for these cars without knowing their prices, but we can make some educated guesses. Currently, the Mercedes-Benz EQE and EQS sedans are prominent players in this segment; however, they may soon be replaced with electric variants of conventional models.
E-Class
and
S-Class
, probably going to receive the “EQ Technology” designation.
Cadillac InnerSpace Autonomous Concept
BMW has
Several upcoming electric vehicles set for release shortly
Based on its Neue Klasse platform, beginning with an anticipated sedan similar to the 3 Series, likely named the i3, along with the iX3 SUV.
A car akin to the 5 Series on that chassis
It appears quite probable, and it might also go up against those Cadillacs. Additionally, we have the mentioned Volvo ES90, and depending on where Volvo decides to lead its sedan range, along with the refreshed model.
Polestar 2
.
Among the present lineup of electric sedan vehicles, we have the
Lucid Air
, the
Tesla Model S
, the
Audi A6 E-Tron
And a few others as well. The Cadillacs would surely face strong competitors when it comes to their selection and luxurious amenities.
What would you like to see in an upcoming Cadillac electric sedan? Share your thoughts below.
Contact the author:
patrick.george@insideevs.com
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by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | battery electric vehicles, business, car companies, cars, electric cars
Last year, Chinese automaker BYD experienced a significant increase in revenue, crossing the $100 billion threshold and outperforming competitor Tesla as the electric vehicle leader pushes forward with its international growth strategy.
In recent years, the company based in Shenzhen has become the undisputed frontrunner in China’s fiercely contested electric vehicle sector, which boasts the biggest market globally.
The company is also actively pursuing new expansion opportunities overseas, pledging to dominate the European market with a sleek new electric vehicle and ultra-rapid charging technology to compete with major European manufacturers.
Tesla faces a difficult period as China’s major advancement into Europe coincides with a decline in the company’s sales across the continent, which has been exacerbated by CEO Elon Musk’s backing of extreme right-wing political organizations in the region.
The statement released late Monday at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange revealed that BYD generated 777.1 billion yuan ($107.2 billion) in revenue for 2024.
That amount surpassed the $97.7 billion in revenue reported earlier by Tesla for last year.
This marked a 29 percent rise compared to the prior year and surpassed a Bloomberg prediction of 766 billion yuan.
In contrast, BYD’s net profit for last year reached 40.3 billion yuan, marking a 34 percent increase from 2023 and setting a new all-time high.
BYD — whose motto is “Build Your Dreams” in English — has experienced an exhilarating period with rapidly increasing sales figures, numerous disclosures, and skyrocketing share prices.
In January, they reported selling almost 4.3 million vehicles in the past year, which represents an increase of over 40% compared to the prior year.
In February, monthly sales surged by 161 percent to reach 318,000 units, significantly surpassing the considerable drop experienced by Tesla during the same timeframe.
Charging ahead
This month, BYD’s stocks listed in Hong Kong reached an all-time peak following the company’s announcement of new battery tech that reportedly enables charging an electric vehicle as quickly as filling a gasoline-powered car.
The “Super e-Platform” battery and charging system claims to reach top speeds of 1,000 kilowatts and enables vehicles to cover up to 470 kilometers (292 miles) following a five-minute recharge, as stated by the firm.
In contrast, Tesla’s Superchargers presently provide charging rates of 500 kilowatts.
Last week, BYD Vice-President Stella Li stated that “registration figures will surge” in Europe for the months of March and April.
The organization has initiated significant advertising efforts through sponsorships such as supporting last year’s UEFA European Football Championship and by establishing several new showrooms throughout Europe.
Nevertheless, the strained relations and trade disputes between Beijing and western nations could potentially overshadow the firm’s international aspirations.
BYD stands out as one of the leading figures among China’s emerging automotive powerhouses, having thrived with significant backing from Beijing. The government has allocated substantial state resources toward this industry.
This strategy has provided local companies with a significant advantage in the competition to offer less expensive, more fuel-efficient electric vehicles compared to major American car manufacturers, who haven’t consistently benefited from similar government support.
The EU authorities are apparently looking into whether the Chinese government offered uneven subsidies for BYD’s initial plant in Europe, located in Hungary, with plans to begin electric vehicle manufacturing later this year.
Last week, Li informed AFP that the firm would maintain “extreme transparency” and expressed readiness to collaborate with any inquiry.
In the meantime, US President Donald Trump has recently introduced increased blanket tariffs on Chinese goods, exacerbating a previous measure enacted by his predecessor Joe Biden that essentially prohibits the utilization of Chinese technology in intelligent vehicles.
Following Tesla’s announcement of weaker-than-anticipated earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024 at the end of January, BYD released impressive financial figures.
The downturn marked a varied year for Tesla, where Trump supporter Musk’s significant investment in U.S. electoral politics faced challenges from profitability issues. This was compounded by the cessation of the company’s run of consecutive yearly increases in vehicle production.
by admin | Mar 21, 2025 | automotive industry, battery electric vehicles, electric cars, electric power, technology
-
EXPLORE FURTHER: Electric vehicle brakes generate pollutants more harmful than those from diesel exhausts.
Although electric vehicles may attract environmentally aware drivers, the concern over battery depletion before reaching one’s destination deters numerous potential buyers.
However, the Chinese EV manufacturer BYD asserts that their newest models will put an end to ‘range anxiety.’
BYD says its new charging system, dubbed the ‘Super-E Platform’, can enable a car to travel 250 miles (400km) after just five minutes of charging.
This 1,000-kilowatt (kW) charger – double the power of its competitor
Tesla
Supercharger – able to replenish an electric vehicle’s battery in the same duration it takes to refuel a traditional car.
petrol
car with fuel.
Last year, BYD was
the globe’s second biggest producer of battery-operated electric cars
just slightly behind Elon Musk’s Tesla.
This recent advancement might propel the Chinese firm to the leading spot by attracting purchasers who are hesitant to abandon their traditional gasoline vehicles.
The BYD founder, Wang Chuanfu—who is frequently referred to as
China
‘s
Elon Musk
mentioned during a launch event in Shenzhen, China, that the brand’s upcoming vehicles would reach ‘fuel-parity’ when it comes to refueling.
Mr Wang added: ‘In order to completely solve our users’ charging anxiety, we have been pursuing a goal to make the charging time of electric vehicles as short as the refuelling time of petrol vehicles.’
BYD states that the newly introduced ultra-fast charging tech will first be featured in two models released this year: the Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV.
The Han L sedan and the Tang L SUV both have slightly lower starting prices.
the typical cost of an electric vehicle in the UK
ranging from 270,000 to 350,000 yuan ($37,300-$48,350 or £28,700-£37,300).
The firm asserts that this car model’s innovative battery design enables drivers to gain approximately 1.20 miles (2 kilometers) of additional range per second when charged at maximum capacity.
officially has a rating of ’10C,’ indicating that these vehicles can achieve a full charge in just one-tenth of an hour, which equates to six minutes.
Rapid charging necessitates the transfer of substantial electrical power, implying the generation of both a high voltage and a significant current concurrently.
One of the primary obstacles to boosting charging efficiency is the substantial amount of heat generated by high currents, posing risks when accumulated within a sizable battery.
To address this issue, BYD claims it has succeeded in decreasing the internal resistance of the battery, which implies that the battery generates less heat as current flows through it.
Moreover, the firm claims it has developed new silicon carbide power chips capable of handling increased voltage levels.
In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, translated via Google Translate, the company says: ‘BYD officially releases flash charging battery with ultra-high voltage of 1000V, ultra-large current of 1000A and ultra-large power of 1000kW.’
At the launch event, Mr. Wang stated, “For the first time in our sector, we have reached the milestone of megawatts in terms of charging power.”
This power level increases the capacity of most charging systems found in the UK and the US by two or three times.
Tesla’s most recent batch of Superchargers can achieve up to 500 kW, whereas the majority of the older models do not have this capability.
peak at somewhere from 250 to 400 kW.
A majority of Tesla’s Superchargers in the United Kingdom can supply sufficient power for driving up to 172 miles (277 kilometers) following just 15 minutes of charging.
According to BYD, they intend to set up a network of 4,000 fast-charging stations throughout China.
Stronger charging stations need direct connection to the power grid along with specialized cooling systems to avoid overheating.
This indicates that the new flash-charging system might necessitate building further infrastructure, such as constructing extra substations and transformers.
Nonetheless, BYD has not offered any details regarding the timeline for building these stations or how they intend to fund their construction.
Similarly, BYD states that the technology will initially be accessible solely within China, and they have not verified if they intend to deploy flash chargers in other locations.
Faster charging and better range have been seen by many industry analysts as the key to switching from cars with internal combustion engines, which emit pollutants.
According to a 2024 survey conducted by management consultancy firm McKinsey & Company, 40 percent of potential electric vehicle (EV) purchasers aimed for over 400 miles of range on a single battery charge—approximately equivalent to the typical distance a gasoline-powered car can cover with one full tank.
Similarly, 42 percent of participants indicated that charging speed is their primary concern.
Out of these individuals, 60 percent expressed their preference for charging times of 30 minutes or shorter.
BYD’s advancement has been met with approval from global markets and could potentially assist them in surpassing their competitor Tesla over an extended period.
Following the announcement, BYD’s shares surged to an all-time peak, rising by 4.1 percent on Tuesday to reach a value of HK$408.80 ($52.59) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
Meanwhile,
On Tuesday, Tesla’s stock value fell by 5.5 percent.
, adding another 4.8 percent drop from Monday.
Overall, Tesla’s valuation dropped by 44 percent throughout 2025 due to investor concerns about CEO Elon Musk’s prominent association with Donald Trump.
Since Trump’s election,
The automotive company has experienced over $800 billion (£617bn) erased from its stock market value.
Read more
by admin | Mar 20, 2025 | autos, battery electric vehicles, cars, driving, electric cars
Renault is adopting the neo-retro approach for its latest urban vehicle and is resurrecting a iconic title. The “R5” serves as an excellent homage to the model I recall from my youth. However, this time around, it’s electrified… Time to put it through its paces!
Creating fresh designs with nuanced nods to history has become the go-to strategy for certain brands. Renault is now embracing this approach. The Renault 5 exemplifies this trend quite successfully. Before my eyes sits a contemporary yellow vehicle, yet it evokes memories of the classic R5—particularly the sloping rear window framed by vertical headlights. To aid these recollections, a tiny plaque inside the compartment behind the driver’s seat displays outlines representing various iterations of the Renault 5 lineage. Indeed, this automobile exhibits strong familial ties; despite being shorter than a Clio at just under four meters in length. Nonetheless, the all-new Renault 5 E-Tech gazes firmly into tomorrow as an entirely electric model. During testing, I drove the “Comfort Range” variant equipped with a 52-kWh battery delivering 150 horsepower (or 110 kilowatts) producing 245 Newton-meters of torque. This sums up our introduction.
Small, but…
Aboard, the ambiance is remarkable! The Iconic Five finish stands out significantly, particularly the seats which echo those seen in the legendary R5 Turbo. Two 10-inch curved displays sit gracefully upon a dashboard styled with a distinct ’70s flair. Notable among these tributes is a motif inspired by the grille of an older Renault 5 located on the center console alongside features like the wireless phone charger and USB-C ports, along with what we traditionally refer to as the ashtray.
The R5 2025 does not come equipped with a manual gearshift (as expected). Instead, you’ll find the R-N-D selector positioned towards the right side beneath the steering wheel. After your journey concludes, simply press the power button situated on the dash between the dual screens rather than using ‘P’. Above the control lever for windscreen wipers lies another stick dedicated to managing infotainment functions — this places more demand on the driver’s dominant hand. Additional function keys adorn the steering wheel itself; specifically noteworthy is the “Multi Sense” key placed on the right side for selecting different driving modes such as Eco mode, which caps the vehicle’s maximum speed at 115 km/h despite having a top-speed capability of 150 km/h.
Between Winter and Spring
Having experience with electric vehicles, I am well aware of the shortcomings of compact models, regardless of their promising WLTP ranges. While they perform admirably in urban settings—being cheerful, sociable, and dynamic—they tend to struggle significantly on highways. Therefore, I’m eager to put the R5 through highway tests. Particularly because mornings remain chilly during the initial part of the trial period, with daytime temperatures also quite low.
The good news is that my Iconic Five model includes a built-in heat pump, so there’s no concern over conserving energy use for climate control. Ideally, this vehicle should offer approximately 410 kilometers based on an official combined cycle rating of 52 kilowatt-hours. However, reality paints a different picture; the onboard computer swiftly adjusts expectations down to roughly 330 kilometers.
When venturing onto the highway, one realizes how critical it becomes to plan stops frequently during colder months, needing breaks every hour and forty-five minutes due to reaching around ten percent charge after covering nearly two hundred kilometers.
By the conclusion of several days’ worth of trials, warmer weather begins to make itself felt, signaling springtime approaching. Interestingly enough, once conditions improve slightly, the car starts performing better, extending its operational range considerably. Under ideal circumstances, expect close to 280 kilometers on the motorway while maintaining full power from the battery at all times—a duration sufficient for almost exactly two hours without requiring rest periods, although barely meeting basic requirements.
The Time to Live
At maximum capacity, the DC fast charger delivers 100 kW. In cold conditions, particularly when frozen, initial charges rarely surpass 40 kW. At around 15°C outdoors, we achieved a peak rate of approximately 70 kW. Consequently, expect to pause for about 30 to 45 minutes to achieve an optimal state where the vehicle’s battery reaches roughly 80-85%, before resuming highway travel. Patience becomes key here. Renault included a thoughtful touch—a ‘5’ emblem on the hood serving as a visual charge status indicator. While waiting at the station under sunny skies, sitting comfortably on a nearby bench allows you to keep track of your progress effortlessly.
During trips exceeding 100 kilometers—especially those driven within speeds ranging from 90km/h to 120km/h—we observed energy usage averaging over 20 kWh per hundred kilometers. Lowering speed and using smaller 18-inch tires fitted with winter rubber brought efficiency closer to 16 kWh per 100 kilometers during city drives. This indicates it might be unsuitable for long-distance commuting but remains feasible for occasional excursions beyond metropolitan areas.
Storage capabilities remain modest; the trunk offers just 326 liters of cargo room. Folding down the rear seating expands this significantly to 1106 liters. Nonetheless, certain features such as the optional Harman Kardon sound system occupy cable management spaces. Similarly, devices connected via conventional sockets used to transform the R5 into a portable power source leave their cords freely accessible in shared zones.
Alive
The highlight is undoubtedly piloting the R5. Kudos to Renault for crafting such an agile and responsive electric vehicle. This compact car handles roads with ease, excelling both on highways and through curves, spreading joy among drivers. Its braking system works perfectly, guiding the rear into smooth turns with finesse. During our climb and descent of the Citadelle de Namur for photography purposes, these skills shone brightly.
Naturally, due to its heft, robust suspension was necessary, leading to firmer dampening. On a section of the gently rolling Brussels Ring, the car briefly exhibited some oscillation but quickly stabilized. Though brief, these minor jolts detracted slightly; however, they didn’t overshadow overall comfort significantly enough to diminish praise for the Renault 5 E-Tech’s achievements. Stylishly designed—elegant yet powerful—it accelerates smoothly from 0-100 km/h in just eight seconds without feeling harsh. Four lightly packed adults could enjoy this spirited takeoff effortlessly.
Upfront, luxury abounds. However, those seated at the rear might find legroom limited, particularly if someone as tall as General de Gaulle occupies the driver’s seat.
The prices
The attractive French-made vehicle with 150 horsepower sells for approximately €32,900 in Belgium. Meanwhile, the model featuring 120 horsepower paired with a 40 kWh battery begins at around €27,900 in Belgium. Regarding the Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five we’re testing, fully loaded with additional features, it comes to €34,900. Its price in France stands at €35,590. If purchased in Switzerland with similar specifications as shown in photos, expect to pay about CHF 36,000. Despite knowing that this electric urban car has some range constraints, the Renault 5 E-Tech boasting 150 horsepower along with a 52 kWh battery remains suitable for regular use when charging from home at 11 kW. It also allows occasional trips and pulling a light trailer up to 600 kg without issues.
(MH with Duquesne – Source: Renault – Images: © Olivier Duquesne)
