Renault’s Megane E-Tech is now France’s most popular EV, with an annual run rate of 100,000. The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric maintains the same emphasis on style as previous Megane versions. The front end is distinguished by slim LED headlights and a sculpted hood, while the rear features a nearly full-width light bar, flush door handles, gold accents, and a sloping roof. Due to the slope of the contrasting roof, the back window is quite small despite its remarkable appearance.
The interior features two 12-inch monitors but is more conventional and user-friendly than the Volkswagen ID.3. The portrait infotainment screen features a new Google-powered system with an outstanding voice control system, yet the actual buttons and dials for climate control have been kept. There are a few hard plastics here and there, but overall the cabin feels more upscale than older Renaults, and there are many recyclable materials in the cheaper trim levels.
However, the news is not so good if you are destined to sit in one of the back seats. While the new Megane is slightly more capacious than the previous model, it lacks the spaciousness we’ve come to expect from electric vehicles. The Megane’s chief competitor, the ID.3, has more spacious rear seats. The 440-liter trunk is more impressive, however, the lack of a false floor makes loading large objects difficult. Follow For More Updates at Rapiddnews.com
Electric motor, performance, and propulsion
The CEO of Renault compared the Megane to an electric hot hatch when he drove it. Although we wouldn’t quite go that far, the new Megane is a decent vehicle to drive. We drove a late-stage pre-production vehicle that was incredibly quick off the line and accelerated quickly at any speed. The electric motor generates 217 horsepower and can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in less than 7.5 seconds, but it seems even quicker.
Because the Megane E-Tech is very light for an electric vehicle and because the majority of the vehicle’s mass is located low, there is essentially no body roll. Its steering is swift but lacks feel, and the rear suspension makes for a decent ride. Alternating between Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual driving modes alters the vehicle’s feel, and you may select your desired level of brake regeneration, but it cannot be driven with a single pedal like an ID.3 or a Leaf.
Interior and comfort
When you open the door using the pop-out door handle, you are met by a contemporary interior. As is typical today, there are two screens for the driver’s display and media/navigation features, but the latter is portrait-oriented, similar to a smartphone. The minor inclination towards the driver creates the sensation of being in the cockpit of a sports automobile. Renault also claims that the materials used in lower-grade models are recycled, yet our top-grade test vehicle featured hardwood door panel trim and synthetic leather upholstery.
The infotainment touchscreen has a new Google-powered system, allowing you to navigate using Google Maps and issue orders by saying “Hey Google.” The mapping application includes nearby public charging stations, and the voice control technology is the best we’ve encountered, allowing you to modify the temperature and obtain the weather forecast simply by asking. Apple CarPlay also comes standard. A digital rearview mirror is also offered to compensate for the small rear window’s poor vision.
Zero to One Hundred Percent Home and Destination Charging
Charging is possible using either a standard wall outlet or a charging station. Charging in public always occurs at a charging station. The rate at which an electric vehicle (EV) can charge depends on the charging station (EVSE) utilized and the EV’s maximum charging capacity. The following table details all available charging options for the Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 220hp. Each choice indicates how quickly the battery may be charged from a depleted to full state.
Europe
In Europe, charging an EV varies by country. Some European nations largely employ 1-phase connections to the grid, but others use 3-phase connections nearly exclusively. The table below details all possible charging methods for the Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 220hp, albeit some may not be readily available in particular countries.
Type 2 (Mennekes – IEC 62196)
| Charging Point | Max. Power | Power | Time | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Plug (2.3 kW) | 230V / 1x10A | 2.3 kW | 30h45m | 12 km/h |
| 1-phase 16A (3.7 kW) | 230V / 1x16A | 3.7 kW | 19h15m | 19 km/h |
| 1-phase 32A (7.4 kW) | 230V / 1x32A | 7.4 kW | 9h45m | 37 km/h |
| 3-phase 16A (11 kW) | 400V / 3x16A | 11 kW | 6h30m | 55 km/h |
| 3-phase 32A (22 kW) | 400V / 3x32A | 22 kW † | 3h15m | 110 km/h |
Rapid Charging (10-to-80%)
Rapid charging enables longer excursions by maximizing range addition in the quickest period feasible. After 80% state of charge is attained, the charging power will decrease dramatically. Therefore, a typical quick charge rarely exceeds 80% SoC. The rapid charge rate of an EV is contingent on the charger utilized and the maximum charging power the EV is capable of handling. The information in the table below pertains to the rapid charging of the Renault Megane E-Tech EV60 220hp.
Maximum power provided by a charging station
- Avg. Power: the average power supplied by a charge station during a session, between 10% and 80%.
- Time: required charging time from 10% to 80%
- Rate: session-average charging speed between 10% and 80%
Integrated Charging System (CCS Combo 2)
| Charging Point | Max. Power | Avg. Power | Time | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCS (50 kW DC) | 50 kW | 40 kW † | 66 min | 220 km/h |
| CCS (100 kW DC) | 100 kW | 75 kW † | 35 min | 430 km/h |
| CCS (150 kW DC) | 130 kW † | 90 kW † | 29 min | 520 km/h |