Renault’s Ampere ElectriCity plant in Douai has already built 100,000 examples of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric, launched in October 2024. The 100,000th vehicle, a Techno with a 52kWh battery (the most common level-trim/battery combination), was assembled last week.
“A little over a year after its launch, the production of the 100,000th Renault 5 E-Tech electric in Douai stands as a testimony to the dedication of our teams and the trust of our customers,” says Pierre-Emmanuel Andrieux, Douai Plant Director for Ampere.
“The Ampere site in Douai has undergone a profound transformation toward full electrification, driven by the passion and expertise of its workforce. Today, we celebrate far more than a number: we honor our collective ability to write a new chapter in sustainable innovation.”
Made in France
The Ampere ElectriCity plant in Douai builds no fewer than six electric models on a single line: Renault 5, Renault Megane, Renault Scenic E-Tech electric, Alpine A290, Nissan Micra, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Around 900 vehicles are built every day, of which two-thirds are Renault 5 E-Tech electric.
To achieve this, the workforce operates in three daily shifts: one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and, as of 13 October, a night shift running at half the daytime production rate.
Renault has decided to build most of its electric vehicles at the Ampere ElectriCity complex, where two-thirds of its suppliers (including the Cléon plant for electric motors) are within a 300-kilometre radius and most of its customers within a 1,000-kilometre radius.
The complex also includes the Maubeuge plant, which assembles Renault 4 E-Tech electric, and the Ruitz plant, specialising in the manufacture of pinions for hybrid and electric gearboxes and in the production of battery cases through the Minth Electricity Technology joint venture.
“Renault 5 E-Tech electric stands as a flagship of our ability to transform an iconic model into a driver of competitiveness and French industrial sovereignty,” says a proud Anne-Catherine Brieux, VP Industrial Operations of Ampere and Alpine.
“More than an industrial success, it is a human and collective adventure that proves our capacity to combine speed, innovation, and the creation of sustainable value for our customers and our regions.”
Popular in Europe
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric has enjoyed remarkable success since its launch: for several months now, it has been the number one in the electric B-segment in Europe. It also ranks second in the retail market in Europe, across all segments.
In France, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric established itself as the number one electric vehicle on the market at the start of the year, a position it also achieved in the United Kingdom in October. In the Netherlands and Spain, it is number one in its segment.
Renault 5 E-Tech electric has recently embarked on its journey beyond Europe, debuting in Turkey and Israel, with Morocco joining the list last month. Additional markets are set to follow in 2026.
Equipment upgrade
According to Renault, this market success is set to continue and grow in 2026, with a complete range (three motors, two battery capacities, five trim levels) and a series of upgrades and new features available from late January.
At this time, the Renault 5 E-Tech electric will feature the One-Pedal function on the Techno finish and higher versions. This fourth level of regenerative braking lets the driver bring the vehicle to a complete stop without using the brakes, only the accelerator. This function contributes to smoother driving in urban traffic. The Renault 4 E-tech Electric is already equipped with it, and it works very well.
The driver attention alert function will also be available. Using an interior camera installed in the left-hand windscreen pillar, this function can detect driver fatigue or distraction.
