The Renault 5 E-Tech might have only gone on sale 15 months ago, but in that time it’s taken Europe by storm. The R5 E-Tech in that time has reached number one in the European electric B segment (roughly equivalent to a combo of Australia’s Light and Small car categories), as well as number two in overall BEV sales there.
The R5 E-Tech has also won many awards, including the prestigious 2025 ‘European Car of the Year’. It should therefore be unsurprising that Renault has just rolled the 100,000th example off the production line.
The 100,000th was a techno version with a 52kWh battery, which is turning out to be the most commonly selected combination of trim level and battery.
The R5 E-Tech is built at Renault’s new Ampere ElectriCity factory complex in Douai, northern France. To quote Pierre-Emmanuel Andrieux (Douai Plant Director, Ampere):
“A little over a year after its launch, the production of the 100,000th Renault 5 E-Tech electric in Douai stands as a testimony to the dedication of our teams and the trust of our customers. The Ampere site in Douai has undergone a profound transformation toward full electrification, driven by the passion and expertise of its workforce. Today, we celebrate far more than a number: we honour our collective ability to write a new chapter in sustainable innovation.”
Renault are also beginning the expansion of R5 E-Tech sales outside of Europe. Recently released in Turkey, Israel and Morocco, Renault have plans to expand into ‘additional markets’ in 2026.
Sadly, it would appear that Australia may not be one of those ‘additional markets’. Renault’s representatives at the recent Everything Electric in Melbourne were adamant that the R5 E-Tech was not likely to be brought here any time soon.
Mind-you, with that level of success overseas, one can only hope that Ateco (distributors of Renault in Australia) will reconsider their currently cooling interest in the model.
Given the dearth of electric (or even any) models in the light and small passenger categories here combined with the amount of interest I see in my public talks for smaller, sensibly priced electric cars (i.e. NOT the medium to large SUVs that dominate our market), Renault Australia could have an unexpected winner on their hands.
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.
