French automaker Renault, the leader in electric vehicles in France, is moving the lines, including on vintage vehicles by launching electric retrofit kits in France in partnership with R-FIT. These kits can be installed on the hugely popular Renault 4, Renault 5 and first generation Twingo.
The Renault 5 electric retrofit kit will go on sale in France in September 2023 while the kit for the Twingo will be made available at a later date.
The three retrofitted models were displayed at the Renault stand at the annual classic auto show, Rétromobile. Visitors weree able to learn more about the product and ask questions before they place their order for their own 4L electric retrofit kit at the stand of our partner R-FIT. The electric retrofit kit for the Renault 4 will also be on sale online on rfitvintage.com from €11,900 (incl. VAT and installation).
Converting old vehicles to electric power extends their life span and means they no longer generate CO2 emissions, which is why they are particularly well suited to modern urban driving conditions, especially within low emissions zones.
Having passed the various certification tests at UTAC (the French car, motorcycle, and bicycle technical union), this conversion offers a level of safety that meets market standards.
The product is also eligible for national and regional subsidies in France (depending on income and region) and its cost of use and maintenance is reduced.
Once the vehicle has been retrofitted, the owner receives all the necessary certification and registration documents indicating the type of fuel as “Electricity” (EL) rather than petrol (ES).
“We are overjoyed about launching these electric retrofit kits that will enable people who love their classic cars and young people to drive in France in our iconic Renault 4, Renault 5 and Twingo, powered by electricity. In addition to the circular economy created by these new electric engine fits, the electric retrofit kits offer a solution that combines the pleasure of driving with savings and reliability without taking anything away from the style and the original designs of these well-loved timeless classics,” underlines Hugues Portron, Director of The Originals Renault – la collection.
By launching these electric retrofit kits for its most iconic models, Renault is once again demonstrating its will to modernise the brand while bolstering its position as the leading manufacturer of electric city vehicles that meet the needs of the modern-day user.
Technical data for the electric retrofit kit designed for the Renault 4:
- Original mechanical transmission system untouched
- Brushless synchronous engine
- Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
- Weight distribution unchanged
- Driving range of approximately 80 km
- Full charge in 3 hours 30
- Electronic battery charge gauge
- Recharge via a 16A – 220 V domestic plug
- 105 V battery pack with capacity of 10.7 kWh
- 5 kWp/48 kWp engine
- Two-year guarantee
