UK orders open for updated Renault 5 E-Tech

Renault has opened order books for the updated Renault 5 E-Tech in the UK. Prices remain unchanged despite a number of technical improvements to the electric supermini.

In the UK, the new R5 E-Tech electric has some meaningful enhancements across the board – just as in the rest of Europe. The new entry-level Evolution 120 Urban Range uses a 40 kWh battery and 90 kW motor, with WLTP range increasing to 315 km (196 miles) – up from 312 km previously. Meanwhile, the 52 kWh version gains 20 km of range to reach up to 430 km (267 miles) under the WLTP cycle. Renault attributes these gains to aerodynamic changes, including a lower ride height and redesigned exterior mirrors, alongside optimisation of the battery electronics.

Despite all this, there’s some positive news for British customers where price is concerned. The entry level Renault 5 E-Tech electric with a 40 kWh battery retains a starting price of £21,495 OTR. This amounts to a much lower UK price than when the model was first launched; its 40 kWh version initially had a starting price of £22,995. The larger 52 kWh Comfort Range version also starts at £23,945. Both prices are inclusive of the UK’s £3,750 Electric Car grant, for which both models remain eligible.

While UK prices remain unchanged, Renault has actually reduced prices for the revised R5 E-Tech electric in Germany. There, the 40 kWh Evolution 120 has received a €1,710 (~£1,470) price cut, and now starts at €26,290 (~£22,620). Conversely, the 52 kWh Evolution 150 – which uses the same battery and motor as the UK’s ‘Comfort Range’ – starts at €29,290 (£25,200~).

However, the German and UK trim levels are not directly equivalent; the UK version of the 52 kWh R5 E-Tech is offered in the higher-grade Techno+ trim. Additionally, UK prices also include the Electric Car Grant, whereas the German figures are manufacturer list prices before any applicable incentives.

This summer, Renault also introduced a new entry-level Renault 5 in some European markets – replacing the previous 40 kWh powertrain with an 80 kW motor and 36.5 kWh LFP battery. It offers up to 305 km of WLTP range and, unlike the previous R5, supports DC charging up to 80 kW. This new LFP version is not currently set to be introduced to either Germany or the UK, and its availability varies between European markets.