Renault's New EV Crossover Has A Unique Safety Feature
Serena Aburahma
· 4 min read
It was only a few years ago that
electric vehicles
(EVs) were mostly novelties in the automotive market. Now some of the biggest names in the industry like Tesla are known for EVs. Major manufacturers have been jumping onto the EV bandwagon too, like Mazda who is producing their first EV.
French manufacturer Renault has joined the EV market with the unveiling of a new electric crossover.
According to
Car and Driver
, the Renault Mégane, a popular vehicle in Europe, will soon have an electric version. This electric Renault is known as the Mégane E-Tech, and it has a particularly unique safety feature.
Renault Mégane E-Tech specs
While the Mégane has been previously available as a gas-powered hatchback, wagon, and sedan, the Mégane E-Tech will launch exclusively as a crossover.
With electric vehicles, range is always a major point of discussion, and with the E-Tech, drivers will have two battery capacity options.
The 40.0 kWh battery has a range of 186 miles, and the 60.0 kWh battery has a range of 292 miles. While the lower range may concern some potential buyers, it is worth noting that companies like
Volkswagen are expanding charging networks
. EVs are capable of impressive power and speed, but the Mégane E-Tech may not initially impress with its max speed. It can reach top speeds of 100 miles per hour. However, it does make up for this lack of speed with surprising power, as it can tow 663 pounds.
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An innovative safety feature
MORE: Tesla, Car of the Future—but Maybe Not so for Younger Drivers
Electric vehicles have unique dangers due to the potential of lithium-ion batteries catching fire. Because first responders are often less familiar with the challenges that these battery fires produce, EV crashes can be dangerous.
The Renault Mégane E-Tech seeks to fix this with an innovative feature.
The feature is known as "Fireman Access," and just as the name implies, it is intended to help firemen and other first responders handle an EV fire. There is a switch located in the E-Tech that allows a person to disconnect the battery from the vehicle.
Typical EV fires can take up to three hours to put out. With the Fireman Access feature, though, firemen can put the battery fire out in just five minutes.
How does the E-Tech compare to other EVs?
The Renault Mégane has been a common sight on European roads since it first launched in 1995, but this marks the first electric model.
Because of this, some drivers may be uncertain what to expect from Renault. Simply because it is an electric European SUV, many are comparing it to the Volkswagen ID.3.
In terms of power, the Mégane E-Tech is quite similar to the Nissan Leaf. Both the Leaf and the E-Tech have models that offer 128 or 215 horsepower.
While this is Renault's first EV release, it is likely not going to be the last. Other manufacturers have committed not just to producing EVs but to converting their entire lineup to electric vehicles. German manufacturer Audi is planning to go
fully electric by 2033
, for example.American drivers interested in the E-Tech might be out of luck, though. Renault has not released a single model of the Mégane in the United States, and there is currently no word on if the E-Tech will be any different.
Regardless of whether you get to drive the new Renault, you can still experience innovation and get top-quality car insurance and save money with
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. It only takes 45 seconds to sign up, and Jerry will compare quotes from top insurance providers to find cheap car insurance for you.
