Renault is targeting more electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid vehicles for Australia in the coming years, meeting the government’s new emissions regulations with a range of new models launched by the government Scenic E-Tech.
Speaking to media at the local launch of the revived Scenic, Renault’s Country Manager for Oceania Arnaud Mourgue said he was confident Renault’s latest electric SUV in Australia would help the brand stay ahead of New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) penalties.
“As you know, landscape is a key weapon in the fight against NVES policies,” he said.
“So we need that to generate credit and that’s an environment that we’re very hopeful about and we’re pretty confident that Scenic will be able to generate credit for us with the stronger USPs (unique selling points) of the vehicle.”
Daily Sparkz You can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
Under NVES, brands that exceed the average fleet-wide CO2 emissions target each year receive “credits” that they can use to offset sales of less efficient vehicles. You can also sell these credits to other manufacturers who are struggling to meet their goals.
Renault electric vehicles such as the Scenic E-Tech (priced from $55,990 before on-road costs) are becoming increasingly important to the brand as these regulations penalize manufacturers for exceeding increasingly stringent CO2 emissions targets in the coming years.
While Renault was one of several brands to hit the first fleet-wide CO2 target last year, avoiding penalties for now, the local branch has so far been reluctant to introduce further electric vehicles beyond the current Kangoo E-Tech, Megane E-Tech and now Scenic E-Tech.
However, the brand’s French executives claim there are more Renault electric vehicles and hybrids in the pipeline for Australia, consistent with an earlier commitment to introduce six new or refreshed models locally before the end of 2026 – starting with the Scenic.
“(Scenic) is part of a strategy to expand the range of fully electric vehicles in Australia alongside (hybrid) vehicles that will follow later,” Mourgue said.
“We are exploring the different ways to introduce and expand electric vehicles in Australia. The main problem today is that the largest segment in Australia is medium and large SUVs, so small vehicles such as the Renault 4, Renault 5 and Twingo only make up a tiny part of the Australian market.”
Mr Mourgue added that Renault is “always looking at opportunities” to introduce smaller electric vehicles in Australia, but will continue to focus on offering a “real alternative” in the local medium and large segments.
“But we remain open and I say about the small car: we have the Renault 5 Turbo 3E, which is available for Australia and which will also be quite interesting for very few customers in Australia,” he said.
Aside from the $300,000+ Renault 5 Turbo 3E, it’s unlikely we’ll see the smaller Renault Twingo, Renault 4 E-Tech or Renault 5 E-Tech in Australia any time soon. Non-compliance with Australian design rules was cited as a key factor, with Renault reluctant to invest in the necessary changes.
Nevertheless, there are plenty of them could is scheduled to be brought to Australia before the end of 2026. With the introduction of the Scenic E-Tech, five new or refreshed models remain. Candidates currently include the Symbioz small hybrid SUV (which may replace the Captur) and the larger Geely-based Filante hybrid SUV.
Other possibilities include an Arkana with hybrid technology and the Dacia Bigster – the latter would almost certainly be renamed Renault like the Duster. There may also be an update to the Megane E-Tech in Australia.
With nothing confirmed, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey promised his brand “could have some surprises in store” over the next six months.
MORE: Australian market too small for more Renault electric vehicles – Managing Director
MORE: Renault’s coolest electric vehicles are blocked by Australian safety regulations
MORE: Renault is preparing six new and updated models for Australia, but which one?
MORE: ‘You get what you pay for’: Renault Australia boss rejects cheap Chinese cars
