• More powerful models have longer driving range
• If you crack 200 miles per charge in the real world you’re doing well
• 10-80% charge is possible in 30 minutes

What are the running costs?

The more powerful EV52 version may have similar performance figures to the EV40, but it trounces the cheaper power train on range. The 52kWh battery has a combined maximum range of 248 miles, according to the official WLTP figures, while the EV40 can travel up to 186 miles. Our real-world testing in the EV52 yielded around 180 miles per charge, dropping to 140 with a few short sprints in Sport mode thrown in.

Even 180 miles is a bit of a drop compared to the official figures, though our test was conducted during wintertime, when batteries do not perform as well as they do when it’s warmer. The EV52 has an official efficiency rating of 4.17 mi/kWh (miles per kilowatt hour), however our test garnered around 3.2 mi/kWh in varied driving.

The charging time from 10% to 80% is the same for both powertrains at 30 minutes. Remember, the cheapest way to run the Renault 5 would be to juice it up at home on a discounted overnight charging tariff. If you plan to cover lots of miles, continuously charging at public charing stations might become expensive.

Servicing and warranty

The Renault 5 E-Tech comes with a three-year base warranty. It offers unlimited mileage cover for the first two years, then a 100,000-mile limit in the third year, unless the three-year period finishes up first. The battery is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty. 

Included in the manufacturer warranty is Renault Assistance, which offers roadside breakdown assistance, towing to your nearest Renault workshop and other mobility solutions for you to continue your journey.

Reliability 

As the Renault 5 E-Tech is a brand-new car, we can’t say yet how reliable it is, though Renault is one of the most experienced manufacturers of electric vehicles with a reputation for quality. So far, the 5 has had zero recalls. You can continue to track its recall progress and view any history on the government recall website.