After the Dacia Spring, the prices of Renault’s electric city cars are also increasing


Renault strongly increases the prices of its electric Zoé and Twingo, which then take more than 1,000 euros at once. The diamond brand is following in the footsteps of Dacia, which also revised the price of its Spring a few weeks ago.

The Renault Twingo Electric // Source: Jean-Brice Lemal for Renault France

If sales of new cars are starting to rise again slowly, while electric models are undermining diesels, the situation remains difficult for the automotive industry. In addition to the shortage of semiconductors, which is beginning to improve slowly, however, manufacturers must also deal with a rise in the price of raw materials. So much so that forecasts are for a sharp increase in customers over the next few months.

A real outbreak at Renault

But to tell the truth, it has already started, while many car brands have already revised the prices of their cars upwards. Starting with Dacia, which has increased the prices of all the models in its range. Since November 3, the Sandero has indeed taken 500 euros, while the Spring has seen its entry ticket soar by 1,000 euros. As a result, the electric city car is now displayed from 20,800 euros, against 16,990 euros when it was launched in the spring of 2021.

But the low-cost firm is not the only one to have to apply an increase to its models, since this is also the case for Renault. The manufacturer with the diamond indeed comes in all discretion from review the price list of some of its models. And it could hurt very, very badly. Because after the Mégane E-Tech, which sees its range climb by 1,800 euros to start at 39,000 euros, it is the turn of two other city cars in the range to take the same turn.

Quietly, Renault has therefore increased the prices of its Zoé and its Twingo E-Tech and you just have to take a look at its site to realize this. The first, which is slowly beginning to reach the end of its life after ten years of service and more than 200,000 copies sold, sees its entry ticket climb by 1,400 euros. Result, it starts at 35,100 euros, against 32,100 euros so far.

Note that the ecological bonus of 6,000 euros is not deducted from the advertised price here. It makes it possible to increase the Renault Zoé to 29,100 euros, until the end of the year only. Because from 2023, the amount of state aid will be reduced and capped at 5,000 euros. Only certain modest households will be able to benefit from a boost increased to 7,000 euros, the conditions of which have not yet been detailed by the government.

The Twingo too

However, it should not be forgotten that Renault had lowered the price of its Zoé by 500 euros last January, from 32,500 euros to 32,000 euros, bonus not deducted. The aim was to create a bigger gap with the Mégane E-Tech, which started from 35,200 euros at the time. The Renault Twingo is not to be outdone either, since it too is undergoing a nice surge in its price and this end of the year.

The city car takes 1,200 euros all at once, increasing its entry ticket to the Authentic finish from 24,050 euros to 25,250 euros. Again, the ecological bonus is not deducted, making the star of the brand accessible from 19,250 euros. This new price should however benefit the Dacia Spring, which remains much more affordable than its diamond rival. Especially since this was originally displayed at 21,950 euros !

If the price of new cars therefore tends to increase over time, like the Peugeot e-208, which now starts at 33,400 euros, there are solutions to limit the increase. And above all, for electric cars to achieve parity with electric models. According to Renault boss Luca de Meo, this would include the adoption of smaller batteries.

Indeed, if the cost of production of these has been falling for years, going from 1,200 dollars per kWh in 2010 to 132 dollars currently, it still remains high. The development of the network of charging stations and the reduction in the time required to fill the batteries should also help brands to move in this direction.


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