Renault has revealed more details for the new Twingo E-Tech electric, which is positioned as a low-cost entry point into electric vehicle (EV) ownership as the A-segment continues to shrink across Europe.
The French manufacturer said the segment now accounts for just 5% of the European market, despite ongoing demand for compact, affordable vehicles suited to urban use and as second cars.
It attributes the decline largely to reduced supply, with many manufacturers exiting the segment due to cost pressures and regulatory requirements.
The new Twingo E-Tech electric is intended to address this gap, with a starting price of under £20,000 and a focus on affordability, usability and low running costs.
The model will use a 60kW motor and an LFP battery offering a WLTP range of up to 263km, with energy consumption of 12.2kWh/100km.
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Renault said the car has been engineered to provide a lower cost base, including battery technology that reduces costs by around 20% compared with alternative chemistries.
The vehicle is built on the same small platform as the Renault 5 and Renault 4 E-Tech models and will be produced at the Novo Mesto plant in Slovenia.
It will also introduce features typically found in higher segments, including advanced driver assistance systems and an OpenR Link infotainment system with Google built-in.
Renault said the new Twingo maintains key design and practicality elements from earlier generations, including a modular interior, sliding rear seats and a five-door layout.
The car has been developed in 100 weeks, around half the time of previous EV programmes, using a combined European and Chinese engineering approach aimed at reducing development costs and timelines.
Renault said: “Twingo E-Tech electric is a true game changer. It represents a sweeping transformation of the market, rewriting the standards of the A segment: a modern electric city car delivering high customer value at an affordable price.”
Size of A-segment not a reflection of low demand
The company added: “Contrary to popular belief, the current size of the A segment is not a reflection of low demand.”
Renault said customers across Europe are still seeking compact and affordable vehicles, but limited availability has constrained the segment.
The Twingo forms part of Renault’s wider strategy to expand access to electric mobility and compete more directly with small internal combustion engine cars on price.
The model also supports the group’s wider electrification push, with a claimed lifecycle carbon footprint around 60% lower than an equivalent petrol vehicle.