Renault Has Decided Not to Add to Its EV Range

RenaultRenaultFrance, 1898 > present189 models
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has decided that it will not develop any future EV models and instead focus on marketing and developing its current range that includes the ZoeRenault Zoe Gen.1France, 2011 > present12 versions
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and TwizyRenault TwizyFrance, 2010 > present24 versions
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, plus several commercial models. Its goal will be to reduce the price of its electric cars to make them more competitive and to create a mature second-hand market for EV models by leasing new batteries for used cars. 

Renault-NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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has sold 100,000 EVs since the LeafNissan LEAFJapan, 2009 > present29 versions
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went on sale over two years ago. Among those, Renault has sold 29,000 EVs. While this is a tiny fraction of total automotive sales, it gives Renault-Nissan about 50% of the global EV market share. 

It says that its typical EV buyer lives in the suburb or a provincial town and uses their cars as a second vehicle. Their other vehicle is generally from a premium marque.  

Renault's plan is to treat its EV models in a similar way that ToyotaToyotaJapan, 1937 > present155 models
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treated the PriusToyota Prius Gen.3Japan, 2010 > present52 versions
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. It was introduced as a relatively expensive model in the late 90s and gradually improved to the car that we have today. It took a generation before the Prius really became a mainstream option for car buyers. 

It says that people need to be educated on the advantage of EVs, but Renault also knows that the problems with electric car range need to be addressed. It is trying to make steps to shrink home quick charging systems by just using a simple cable instead of a box that needs to be installed. It is also working on wireless inductive charging, but that technology is likely to remain prohibitively expensive for several years. 

Source: Autocar