Author: Theo Dupont

Dacia is reportedly considering introducing a European electric version of the Renault Bridger, a compact SUV originally developed for India. The move could help the Renault-owned brand expand its electric vehicle range and meet tightening European emissions requirements. The Bridger was unveiled in March 2026 as part of Renault’s futuREady strategy. Designed primarily for emerging markets, the SUV features a boxy exterior, 20 centimetres of ground clearance and an externally mounted spare wheel. Despite measuring less than four metres in length, Renault promises a spacious cabin with 20 centimetres of rear knee room and a 400-litre boot. Bridger Could Fill…

Switzerland is proposing stricter CO2 emissions requirements for newly registered heavy commercial vehicles while easing targets for vans and other light commercial vehicles from 2030, as the government moves to align its transport climate regulations with forthcoming European Union standards. The Swiss Federal Council has submitted proposed revisions to the CO2 Act and Energy Act for public consultation. The legislative package aims to bring vehicle emissions requirements from 2030 into line with the EU Commission’s forthcoming Automotive Package. The proposal does not cover requirements from 2035 onward, leaving out the wider European debate over whether to revise the planned phase-out…

Opel could join Citroen and Fiat in Stellantis’ planned family of affordable electric city cars, with a new battery-electric model potentially reviving the Agila name, according to Italian automotive magazine Quattroruote. The report suggests the Rüsselsheim-based automaker could introduce the small EV a few months after its sister brands launch their respective models. Neither Opel nor Stellantis has officially confirmed the vehicle’s development, name or launch timing. The potential model would form part of Stellantis’ E-Cars initiative, announced in May 2026 to expand the availability of affordable electric vehicles in Europe. Citroen and Fiat Models Expected in 2028 Stellantis plans…

Wayve, Stellantis and NVIDIA have announced a collaboration with the French government to advance autonomous vehicle development and deployment in France, with the longer-term goal of supporting wider adoption across the European Union. Announced at the Assises du Véhicule Autonome, the initiative combines AI software, vehicle engineering and computing technologies to develop a foundation for autonomous mobility. Partners Combine AI, Computing and Vehicle Platforms The collaboration brings together Stellantis’ L4-Ready Platforms and vehicle engineering and manufacturing capabilities with Wayve’s AI Driver technology. The system will integrate NVIDIA Halos OS and use NVIDIA’s Hyperion computing and sensor architecture. https://twitter.com/wayve_ai/status/2113578681339990257 The partners…

Citroen has unveiled the 2CV Fourgonnette Concept at the Paris Motor Show 2026, presenting an electric reinterpretation of its historic compact delivery van. The study extends the design philosophy of the new 2CV Concept into the light commercial vehicle segment, with an emphasis on simplicity, low weight and affordability. Inspired by the original 2CV Fourgonnette, known in Germany as the Kastenente, the concept adopts the distinctive box-shaped silhouette of the classic utility vehicle. Citroen envisions it as a battery-electric work vehicle designed for straightforward operation and practical everyday use, with deliberately limited technological complexity. However, the company has not confirmed…

Renault has updated the Renault 4 E-Tech electric with modest range improvements, additional equipment and a lower entry price. Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2026, the revised model also introduces the Roland-Garros special edition and a commercial vehicle variant designed for business use. The update follows changes to the Renault 5 E-Tech electric and includes revised exterior mirrors and an underbody panel intended to improve aerodynamic efficiency. Range Increases Across the Lineup The updated Renault 4 E-Tech electric gains a small increase in claimed driving range across its main configurations. The Urban Range version, equipped with a 40-kWh battery…

BYD is considering France as a potential location for another European manufacturing plant as the Chinese automaker seeks to strengthen its regional presence, expand its dealer network and introduce additional electric vehicle technologies to the market. Speaking at the opening of the Paris Motor Show 2026, BYD Vice-President Stella Li confirmed that France is among the locations under consideration. France is on the shortlist. Li said the company was examining the possibility of establishing a factory in France. We are looking very closely at the possibility of setting up a plant in France. BYD also wants to strengthen its local…

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has warned that Europe’s mass-market automotive industry is under increasing pressure from Chinese competition and changing market conditions, renewing calls for more flexible regulation and incentives to support local manufacturing. Speaking at an event alongside the Paris Motor Show 2026, Blume said European automakers must find ways to produce affordable electric vehicles while controlling costs and maintaining profitability. Volkswagen, Stellantis and Renault together account for more than 60% of European car production, according to Reuters. We cannot build our future on export profits alone. Our European businesses must be profitable, resilient and competitive. Blume said the…

Xpeng has launched its G9L flagship electric SUV in Europe, unveiling the model on October 12, the opening day of the Paris Motor Show 2026. The six- and seven-seat vehicle expands the Chinese automaker’s European lineup, with starting prices ranging from €74,600 in Germany to €75,990 in the Netherlands. The G9L is available exclusively as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) in Europe, unlike the Chinese-market version, which is offered with both battery-electric and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrains. The European model also differs in seating configuration from the five-seat version sold in China. European Pricing and Configurations Xpeng has announced the…

Renault Group and French energy company EDF plan to launch a bidirectional electric vehicle charging service for private customers in France in summer 2027. The offering will combine an electric vehicle, a home charging station and intelligent charging management, allowing compatible EVs from Renault, Alpine and Dacia to supply stored electricity back to the power grid. The initiative will involve EDF subsidiaries IZI by EDF and Dreev. The partners intend to distribute the package through Renault Group’s dealer network, with IZI by EDF and EDF handling the installation of home charging equipment. Three Components of the Charging Service The planned…

Renault has announced pricing and equipment details for the Trafic Van E-Tech electric, which will be available with two battery options offering claimed WLTP ranges of up to 350 km and 470 km. Prices start at €41,500 for the 60 kWh version with the ADVANCE trim, while the 81 kWh long-range model starts at €47,000 with the same equipment grade. The electric commercial van is designed for business customers operating in urban areas and on longer routes. Both battery options are subject to final homologation, according to Renault. Two Battery Options and 800V Charging The entry-level 60 kWh battery provides…

Renault has announced a series of updates for the Kangoo Van E-Tech electric and Kangoo E-Tech electric passenger model, including a larger battery, two electric motor options, faster DC charging and an updated multimedia system. The revised models use battery and motor technology also found in the Renault 5 and Renault 4 E-Tech electric. Battery capacity increases from 45 kWh to 52 kWh, with Renault targeting a maximum WLTP driving range of 354 kilometres, subject to homologation. Maximum DC charging power rises from 80 kW to 100 kW, while the updated models receive a 10-inch touchscreen across the range. Renault…

Renault has presented the E-Space Concept at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, outlining its approach to an electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The six-seat concept combines a modular interior, extensive glazing and digital technologies, drawing on the design principles of the original Renault Espace introduced in 1984. The concept is intended to explore an alternative to conventional SUVs and saloons by prioritising interior space and passenger flexibility. Renault has not announced production plans or disclosed the vehicle’s battery capacity, driving range or power output. The E-Space Concept measures 4.70 metres long, 2.02 metres wide and 1.67 metres high. Its design includes…

LG Electronics will supply an integrated cockpit system for the Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric, marking Renault Group’s first series-production commercial vehicle built on software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture. The system combines the electric van’s instrument cluster and infotainment functions under a single controller. The agreement extends the two companies’ existing collaboration as automakers increasingly adopt centralised computing architectures to manage vehicle functions and software updates. Integrated System Consolidates Cockpit Functions LG’s cockpit system brings together two traditionally separate components: the instrument cluster, which displays driving information and warnings, and the infotainment system, which manages navigation and media. By integrating these functions…

Croatia plans to introduce a new electric vehicle purchase incentive programme in October 2026, offering subsidies of up to €9,000 for eligible new electric cars. The Croatian Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU) has announced a total budget of €20 million, which is expected to support approximately 3,000 applications. The programme will also cover light electric vehicles, including mopeds, motorcycles and three- and four-wheeled vehicles. The official application start date is expected to be announced during October. Subsidies Depend on Vehicle Purchase Price The amount of funding available for electric cars will depend on the vehicle’s gross purchase price,…

Germany and France are reportedly seeking a further relaxation of the European Union’s proposed CO₂ rules for new cars, in a development that could allow more vehicles with combustion engines and other powertrains to be sold after 2035. According to reports from German media outlets including FAZ and Handelsblatt, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached broad agreement on the issue. In return for France supporting greater flexibility on vehicle CO₂ targets, Germany would reportedly back stricter “Made in Europe” requirements under the EU’s planned Industrial Accelerator Act. No formal agreement has been concluded, and further…

Renault plans to invest more than €10 billion in France over the next five years, with a significant portion of the funding expected to support electric vehicles, more affordable models and new automotive technologies. Renault CEO François Provost announced the investment plans in an interview with French radio station France Inter. According to Handelsblatt, the programme will build on Renault’s ongoing transformation of its French manufacturing operations toward electric mobility. However, Provost said the investment commitment depends on political and social conditions in France. He did not initially provide details of the specific conditions Renault is seeking. Renault Links Investment…

Transport & Environment (T&E) says electric vehicles are retaining their value better than conventional industry depreciation estimates suggest, based on an analysis of used-car transactions in four major European markets. The analysis covers Germany, France, Italy and Spain and examines how depreciation estimates are used in leasing and financing calculations. T&E found that accounting for several factors omitted from commonly used calculations reduces the estimated depreciation gap between combustion and electric cars by about 80%. T&E Identifies Factors Affecting EV Depreciation Data from 2025 used-car transactions across the four markets showed a 12.9 percentage-point depreciation gap between combustion and electric…

Lucid is expanding its certified pre-owned business in Europe with the launch of its Lucid Recharged program. The initiative initially covers used Lucid Air electric vehicles in Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Norway, with the Gravity electric SUV expected to join the program at a later stage. Under the “Lucid Recharged Certified Pre-Owned” program, eligible vehicles are listed through Lucid’s online inventory. The initiative gives customers another way to purchase the company’s electric vehicles beyond its new-car sales channel. Lucid Air Vehicles Undergo 163-Point Inspection Vehicles included in the Lucid Recharged program must be no more than five years old…

Renault plans to invest €600 million by 2030 to modernize its manufacturing facilities in Valladolid and Palencia, Spain. The investment will support production of five new models, including two electric vehicles, while a new battery assembly line will also be established at the Valladolid plant. The investment forms part of Renault’s futuREady strategy and is supported by funding from the Renault Group as well as national and regional government programmes for industrial transformation and sustainable mobility. Five New Models Planned Renault Spain has not identified the five models that will be produced at the two plants. However, the announcement confirms…