11:21 10-01-2026

Renault pivots to range-extender super-hybrid EVs for 1,000 km

Renault is rethinking its strategy: as electric-car sales cool, the brand is preparing “super‑hybrids” — EVs with a compact gasoline range extender. The setup is designed to deliver more than 1,000 km between stops and reduce reliance on charging infrastructure.

Renault brings in REx to soothe range concerns

The company is developing a new platform for compact and midsize models from 2028. It was initially planned as EV‑only, but a modular range extender is now being integrated. The reason is straightforward: EV growth in Europe has slowed, while charging networks in southern markets are expanding too slowly. With more buyers asking for guaranteed distance, Renault is offering a middle ground.

C15 technology: an engine the size of a suitcase

The range extender is developed by Horse Powertrain, a joint venture between Renault and Geely. It combines a 1.5‑liter combustion engine, a generator and an inverter, with the entire unit no larger than a travel suitcase. It can be installed at the front or rear, positioned either vertically or horizontally.

Two versions are planned: a naturally aspirated unit with 94 hp and a turbo variant with 161 hp for larger models. The engine never drives the wheels; it acts solely as a generator, maintaining the traction battery’s charge on the move.

Why Renault is changing course

Product chief Bruno Vanel says the brand needs to stay flexible. Even with the push toward an all‑electric lineup, the market is not there yet. Southern Europe, parts of Eastern Europe and regions with sparse charger coverage still require transitional solutions. That reads as a pragmatic assessment of where the European landscape stands today.

The company believes the super‑hybrid concept will help buyers switch to EVs without worrying about finding a charger in time. For many customers, that kind of reassurance matters as much as headline performance figures.

What’s next for Renault’s next generation

The new platform will replace CMF‑BEV and cut costs by 40%. The first model on it will be the production Renault Embleme, a likely successor to the Megane. It will support both pure EVs and range‑extender versions, while existing models are not slated to be adapted for REx. Focusing on clean‑sheet products should keep complexity in check.

Renault is making a strategic move: pairing an electric architecture with a compact gasoline module to deliver combustion‑like range while preserving an EV character. It’s a flexible, down‑to‑earth response to Europe’s realities — and it may become a useful template for transitional electric cars.