The year is off to a strong start in the field of electric cars: the prices for the electric Renault Scénic E-Tech are official, and are particularly well placed. Is the Tesla Model Y dropped yet? Not sure: it keeps the advantage on recharge speed.
The Renault Scénic E-Tech is one of the most anticipated electric cars of 2024. If it will arrive in dealerships in the spring, the prices are now known, and they hit hard.
With an entry-level price of 39,990 euros (excluding ecological bonus) equipped with a 60 kWh battery and a WLTP range of 430 km, the Renault even has the luxury of being better placed than the Tesla Model Y, the undisputed leader in the category. The American has not said its last word, however, and retains a key advantage: its recharging speeds remain higher than those of the French.
Almost 15 minutes less
We had to dig around a bit to find all the technical information, but a brochure from the brand explains everything. Renault announces rapid charging from 15% to 80% in 33 minutes for the Scénic equipped with the 60 kWh battery via a charging power of 130 kW max, and in 37 minutes for the 87 kWh version (range of 625 km) , whose charging power rises to 150 kW max.
The Model Y is already on the market, which allows for real and verified measurements. The Propulsion version (455 km range) equipped with the BYD battery of around 60 kWh explodes everything, with a 10-80% achieved in 20 minutes. A score worthy of cars equipped with 800 volt architectures, such as the Kia EV6 or the Hyundai Ioniq 5, while the Tesla (and the Renault) must make do with 400 volts.
The Long Range version of the Tesla Model Y (range of 565 km) also recharges more quickly than the Scénic, with 10 to 80% delivered in 25 to 30 minutes, which is logical: the Tesla battery is smaller by 7 kWh and it accepts up to 250 kW of maximum power, or 100 kW more than the Renault.
The Scénic has not said its last word
This difference in power will not be felt in everyday life, but rather during long journeys. The breaks will be a little longer with the Renault Scénic than with the Tesla Model Y. Allow around 10 to 15 minutes longer with the French one. On the motorway, it’s a break approximately every 2 hours with the “small” batteries compared to one every three hours with the “large” batteries.
But let’s take a step back: certainly, the Scénic is beaten by the Model Y, but it is not unworthy. Especially since another subject proves that the Renault is well born: its consumption is surprisingly low.
The 60 kWh version is thus approved at 16.3 kWh/100 km including recharging losses, a score certainly beaten by the Model Y Propulsion which is satisfied with 15.7 kWh/100 km, but in good standing. The 87 kWh version changes the situation: 16.8 kWh/100 km, compared to 16.9 kWh/100 km against the Model Y Grande Autonomie, although it has a smaller battery!
Renault Scénic E-Tech // Source: Renault
Tesla Model Y
One of the reasons is obvious: the Scénic E-Tech is extremely light. Count between 1,730 and 1,890 kg, compared to 1,909 kg for the Model Y Propulsion and 1,979 kg for the Grande Autonomie version – it is true equipped with a second engine, absent from Renault. This is remarkable, especially when you see that a comparable Volkswagen ID.4 weighs 2,156 kg…
Summary tables
As we are nice, we have put the important figures in tables for you. Here is the comparison between the Renault Scénic and Tesla Model Y equipped with the “small” battery:
| Renault Scénic (60 kWh) | Tesla Model Y Propulsion (BYD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 60 | 60 |
| WLTP range (km) | 430 | 455 |
| Max power (kW) | 130 | 150 |
| Charging time (min) | 33 (15-80%) | 20 (10-80%) |
| Consumption (kWh /100 km) | 16.3 | 15.7 |
| Weight (kg) | 1,730 | 1,909 |
The one with the “big” batteries is right there:
| Renault Scénic (87 kWh) | Tesla Model Y Long Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 87 | 80 |
| WLTP range (km) | 625 | 565 |
| Max power (kW) | 150 | 250 |
| Charging time (min) | 37 (15-80%) | 25/30 (10-80%) |
| Consumption (kWh /100 km) | 16.8 | 16.9 |
| Weight (kg) | 1,890 | 1,979 |
In short, we can’t wait to be able to compare them head to head. See you in spring!