Why this brand is going all-in on hybrids: Renault says no to plug-in hybrids despite Mitsubishi, BYD, Volkswagen and others investing in the tech: Report

Renault is going full steam ahead on hybrid and electric cars. 

Plug-in hybrid development, despite offering one in its mid-size Rafale coupe SUV, is a dead end for Renault, CEO Fabrice Cambolive told Autocar. 

“What we decided is to bet on full hybrid, because for me that is the easiest way to have low-consumption cars and to prepare our customers to go to EVs,” said Cambolive.

On the way to full electric, Renault sees plugless hybrids as the best technology. It is a similar tune to which Toyota is singing in Australia. That is, despite Renault releasing a unique plug-in hybrid version of the Rafale. 

“It's only the addition of plug-in hybrid technology that we had before, with hybrid technology we have also elsewhere. It’s an intelligent way to associate two technologies which were already available,” Cambolive explained to Autocar. 

To get nearly 1000km of driving range, the Rafale PHEV uses a 22kWh battery pack, two electric motors and a motor generator behind the gearbox and small 1.2-litre turbo-petrol three-cylinder. 

As Cambolive points out, in Europe 600km of driving range (as in the Scenic E-Tech) is functionally plenty for most trips, and notes that with a complex plug-in hybrid on board, the Scenic’s packaging “would not be so interesting – or unique – as Rafale can be.”

Small, light vehicles are fairly efficient already in petrol-only and hybrid guise. The form factor also lends itself well to electric cars. Volkswagen has invested heavily in plug-in hybrid versions of the Golf and other products on its MQB Evo platform in Europe.

Additionally, with batteries slid under the floor and no petrol engine to deal with, designers can create more effective cabin spaces with battery EVs. For larger vehicles, especially off-roaders and utes, plug-in hybrid may be suitable such as in the BYD Shark 6’s case. 

China is rapidly turning to range extender style hybrids that have larger batteries for more electric-only range and smaller, more efficient petrol motors to act exclusively as generators. 

In Australia, Renault is waiting for a product line-up rebirth. The stylish Megan E-Tech is here and new-look Captur on the way but Australian importer Ateco is not bringing in other hybrid offerings, including the Corolla Cross-rivalling Austral and larger Rafale coupe SUV. 

Instead, Renault’s mainstream products in Australia are shaping up as rebadged Dacias, while electric models will come from the ‘real’ Renault, including the retro 4 and 5 along with the Scenic.