Ampere claims that has a roadmap to reduce variable costs for the 2nd generation of bespoke C-segment EVs – which the firm describes as “Megane and Scenic successors” – that will arrive by 2027/28 with a focus on a 50 per cent reduction in battery cost per vehicle, a 25 per cent reduction in powertrain and platform costs and a 15 per cent reduction in upper body vehicle costs. It also claims it will refine its operations to reduce manufacturing and logistic costs by half.
The Megane is already on sale, with the Scenic set to join it shortly. The Renault 5 will launch in production form early next year, followed by the more rugged 4 in 2025, and the Legend tipped to arrive in 2026. Ampere then says that two additional cars will arrive as part of its second generation of EVs, growing its line-up of European Renault electric models to seven by 2031. By that point the firm is aiming to sell around a million EVs per year, up from around 300,000 currently.
Ampere will also develop and produce two EVS for Renault’s performance brand Alpine, along with the new Nissan Micra for its alliance partner. De Meo added that the firm will also produce a new “global” C-segment electric SUV for third Alliance partner Mitsubishi.
What we know about plans for the new Renault Twingo
Plans for a new entry-level Renault model were made public earlier this year, when company CEO Luca de Meo revealed his ambition to ‘democratise’ EV ownership in Europe. Indications that it will undercut the 5 on price suggest that it could go on sale at around the £20,000 mark.
De Meo referred to the new model as “one of the things that will enable democratisation of EVs that will potentially boost volume”, suggesting that it will help to boost mass electric car ownership in both the UK and mainland Europe.
A huge inspiration for the car, de Meo said, are Japanese-market kei micocars, which are strictly size- and power-regulated. These affordable cars accounted for more than one in three of the 4.2 million new vehicles sold in Japan last year.
