Renault says EV program is safe

It admits that an international network may have obtained data about its EV programs - allegedly leaked by three Renault employees who are under investigation - but says its vital technology secrets are safe.

In a newspaper report in France on the weekend, it says production of EVs will not be held up.  French newspaper Le Monde on the weekend states Renault's Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata saying: "Renault is the victim of an organised international network".

He says information leaked is likely to refer to the costs and economic model of the EV program and not technology, including 200 patents that are being lodged.

"It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology," he says.  "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel OK."

Mr Pelata says despite the espionage, Renault's EV program was still on track.  "We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars," he says.

Renault will launch three EVs in Europe this year - the Fluence sedan, Kangoo delivery van and the two-seat Twizy.  The city car, the Zoe, will launch next year and is predicted to become the company's best-selling electric car.

Renault's work parallels that of its alliance partner Nissan that is globally rolling out its Leaf EV.  Mr Pelata says the three employees had been on suspension without pay since last Monday.

Renault aims to press criminal charges against the three. Two of the employees are Matthieu Tenenbaum, deputy head of Renault's electric-vehicle program, and Michel Balthazard, vice president for advance engineering and a member of the management committee.

Renault and the French Government (Renault is 15 per cent owned by the French state) are also investigating a possible link in the espionage to China.

In 2007, a Chinese student on a work placement at car parts maker Valeo was given a prison sentence for obtaining confidential documents.  A court stopped short of an industrial espionage verdict, instead finding she had "abused trust".