Video test – What is the real range of the electric Renault Megane?

It is difficult to achieve the WLTP autonomy declared by the manufacturer. Can we already reach what the car shows after full charging? Max Freiss wanted to test the Renault Megane EV60 220 hp Super Charge Techno in this regard.

The model was tested

The electric Renault Megane at our disposal incorporates a lithium-ion battery with a usable energy capacity of 60 kWh, formed by 288 LG Chem cells of the NMC (nickel-manganese cobalt) type divided into 12 modules. The package powers a compact rotor synchronous motor in which the magnet is replaced by copper.

The manufacturer explains this choice by the desire not to use rare earths and the search for better efficiency. The unit develops 160 kW (220 hp) of power for a maximum torque of 300 Nm. Dressed in its standard Glacier White color, our Megane E-Tech Super Charge benefits from a mid-level Techno finish.

Its endowment is enhanced by packs Expanded Vision (blind spot warning, 360 degree camera, rear collision warning with emergency braking, speed cameras on each side of the car, etc.) and Advanced driving assistant (adaptive cruise control, security when opening the rear doors, etc.) a set is paid for 1700 euros. On the other hand, there is no heat pump.

410 km of autonomy before takeoff

Renault electric Mégane in our possession has a range of 438 km. After a full charge, the dashboard is a little less generous: 410 km. ” We will see if we can do them “says Max Freyss. To achieve this, he will drive in Eco mode, drive smoothly with a preference for progressive acceleration, obey the speed limit, use the speed limiter and the paddles on the steering wheel.

These allow you to play with regeneration power. In his interview with us, our Moselle reader Christophe estimated that using the system correctly would result in a consumption gain of 1.5 kWh/100 km.

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So by default, by running ” with minimal regenerative braking or even freewheeling and powering it to reduce or adjust your speed on descents without pressing the brake pedal “. What should be more active in driving “.

Want to play pallets?

Driving the Megane E-Tech in Eco mode on country and highway roads is quite pleasant: “ Unlike other electric cars, this mode does not make you feel restrained at all. It is very suitable for daily driving and allows easy overtaking when needed. “.

Correct use of regeneration shovels takes time to adjust to activate them at the right times. ” It’s a plus for me to have this system that saves a few precious kilowatt hours when mastered properly. The long-term gains are not insignificant “says Max Freiss.

He laments the lack of a single-pedal system, perhaps going so far as to bring the car to a standstill by continuously pressing the left paddle, just lifting his foot off the accelerator and not engaging the brake pedal.

The test was conducted under a favorable temperature of 16°C, variable weather between cloud and rain, and the heating/air conditioning unit set to 20°C in Eco mode.

Free!

In the Super Charge version, the Megane E-Tech has a 7 kW AC charger. Choose the Optimum Charge version for an additional €1,500 to get the most out of the AC terminals installed in public areas, especially by the department’s energy units. With this, the power increases to 22 kW, as in the Zoé since its launch ten years ago.

In ultra-fast direct current stations, Renault promises a flow of up to 130 kW. ” Which is true without being too loud. Not at the level of Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 anyway. In addition, the charge curve is not very good and we quickly find ourselves at lower levels. », Details Max Freyss.

Losange’s electric compact in EV60 220 hp Super Charge Techno configuration is currently listed on its website for €43,200 including tax, or €44,900 with options available on the tested model. This entitles him to a €6,000 bonus.

Push buttons

If, like our videographer, you’re used to the elegant interior of the Tesla Model 3 or its Model Y SUV version, the Megane E-Tech might confuse you with the many buttons and controls behind the steering wheel. , even to be honest. to displease you.

” We have 4 comforts there. It is too much: we do not find ourselves there. They are packed with extra buttons as well as steering wheel speakers. There is a wheel behind the switch to change the music. It lacks simplicity and ergonomics. A lot with pallets and more “, he judges.

On the other hand, he appreciates the array of two 12-inch digital screens: ” They are well integrated into the car, look quite nice and work well. We have a very practical GPS reminder behind the wheel. And above all some interesting information on the right, including the instantaneous and average consumption displayed in a small window. It helped me a lot to choose the best regenerative braking level for the situation because you can immediately see how much you recover and consume more when fully engaged. “.

First results at halftime

With the battery level of the electric Mégane at 49%, the consumption is 14.8 kW/100 km, the average speed for the 188.7 km of road is 40.6 km/h. It still promises 197 km of autonomy. ” In the last percentage, between 50 and 49%, I lost 13 km in 200 meters trying to park. “, says Max Freiss.

Adding the numbers (197 + 188.7 km), rounding to the next kilometer, we get 386 km. At this stage, we’re 24km below the car’s pre-departure estimate and 52km away from the manufacturer’s stated range. But we will be able to confirm these differences as we approach the power outage.

Falling below the estimated range of 100 km, the battery is at 21%. Average consumption has improved slightly: 14.2 kW/100 km for a distance of 306 km.

Yellow, red and flashing

From 7% energy and about 38 km of autonomy, the icon representing the battery and the level indicator at the bottom and left of the screen, with a percentage dedicated to the device, turn yellow to attract attention. driver’s attention. Now the icon with 3% shown in red is blinking and the range indicator is gone, replaced by 3 dashes in a row.

At this stage, Max Freys reduced the speed and cut as few useful electricity consumers as possible, including maintaining the temperature in the passenger compartment: ” It’s not really a good feeling to know that you might fall apart at any moment. “.

However, it is dark at this point and low beam headlights should be on. However, the Megane E-Tech was able to return to its starting point after half a turn with 49% battery. 1% is shown on the table.

392.5 km

Consumption fell a little lower, 14.2 kW / 100 km, an average of 46.4 km / h for the absorbed 392.5 km (+ 5.8 km / h compared to foreign travel). We covered 17.5 km less than the car initially estimated, and 45.5 km less than the WLTP figures.

Our videographer had fun with the great acceleration in Sport mode, thinking that the Electric Megane would be limited to only 1% power in the battery. not even:” I feel like the full power of the car is still there. There may still be about twenty kilometers under the hood. “. In this case, at the end of charging, the vehicle will reach the declared 410 km, and we will be only 25 km away from the WLTP range.

” Average consumption of 14 kW/100 is very correct for this car. We could have gone lower with better use of the regeneration paddles on the steering wheel. The Megane’s 392.5km range is reassuring on this kind of route Max Freiss concludes.

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