Low-Cost Hybrid Tech Gives Renault Breathing Space in Tough EV Transition

In all regions of the globe, automobile manufacturers are under extreme stress to shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to clean energy vehicles epitomized by battery electric cars. This is more so due to the increasing policies governing the vehicle manufacturing sector’s environment. In line with this, the European Union has designed the automotive sector-specific targets and regulations for the reduction of CO2, and the corresponding figures have been aggressive.

 Fleet average emissions must be lowered to 95 g/km CO2, which is the current tendency. Furthermore, nations have begun to adopt measures aimed at prohibiting gasoline and diesel-powered cars from sale within their territories, with the United Kingdom, France, and Norway, among others, being the forerunners.

Then again, there are heaps of people who are more aligned with their preferences towards sustainability issues. Given the increased awareness of climate talks and the threat of pollution from conventional automobiles, most users want to reduce emissions. For this purpose, EVs are adequately perceived as the solution due to their emission-free nature and technology, which is advancing rapidly.

Notably, this change takes time and effort, but there are challenges. The expenses that come along with the development of batteries, the extensive charging stations that need to be availed, general resistance from people to experience voltage differences, and the cost of electric vehicles (EVs) all add up to the difficulties and high costs of achieving complete electrification of the vehicle fleet, for conventional manufacturers like Renault, who have historically focused on ICE vehicles, conversion to electric cars is fraught with costs and dangers. This is where hybrid technology becomes a more viable and tactical option.

Hybrid Technology as a Solution for Transitioning

Renault’s strategy to transition to EVs is based on developing less costly hybrids that help cut emissions sufficiently within the law, averting a complete change to electric propulsion. Hybrids enable Renault to cut CO2 emissions from its vehicles while mainly utilizing the same infrastructure and manufacturing techniques designed for traditional cars, which feature an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and an electric battery. 

One of the most important advantages of hybrid vehicles is the ability to cut emissions significantly – and at much lower costs than with BEVs. This is because full-battery electric vehicles need expensive and large battery packs, essentially the most costly part of the E-V. However, hybrids, which are electric engines and internal combustible engines combined, require small batteries that only assist the combustion engine, reducing emissions and fuel consumption without having the costly batteries that long-range electric vehicles require.

In addition, hybrids are not dependent on such charging facilities as BEVs due to their ability to refuel at conventional filling stations while enjoying better fuel economy. This is especially useful in the contexts of developing countries where charging stations are very few or in the case where consumers are less inclined to go fully electric owing to limited range or fear of unease regarding the availability of charging stations.

 Such availability of hybrid cars in an otherwise invalidates Renault’s policies aimed, among others, at greening the automobile fleet in Europe without having to electrify every model within its range in the short run. This works well for Renault as the timelines given towards mastering production of electric vehicles are longer than the period where the cheaper vehicles are taken out of the market.