More than one million electric vehicles have been designed and produced in France since 2010, including 600,000 in ‘Electricity’, Renault Group’s electric industrial pole of northern France.
Electric vehicles are accelerating in France, with vehicles coming off the production lines of bodywork and assembly plants in Douai, Maubeuge, Dieppe, Batilly, and Sandouville, driven by the mechanical sites of Cléon, Ruitz, and Le Mans, as well as the Flins Refactory, dedicated to the circular economy.
‘A milestone’
“The milestone of one million electric vehicles produced by Renault Group in France is, above all, a source of collective pride: pride in our teams and suppliers who build them, pride in our customers who choose them, and pride in a Group that has made a long-term commitment to France,” said François Provost, CEO of Renault Group.
“Since 2021, we have invested €13 billion to build the electric vehicle value chain across our operations in France. Provided the right conditions are in place, we plan to invest a further €13 billion as part of our mid-term plan, futuREady,” he added.
The milestone of one million electric vehicles produced in France is the result of a pioneering commitment. Since 2010, with models such as the Zoe and the Kangoo ZE, Renault Group has invested heavily in electric vehicles, convinced of their central role in the future of mobility.
“Renault Group has also developed a range of electric light commercial vehicles alongside Kangoo E-Tech electric, including Trafic Van E-Tech electric (first native electric LCV) and Master E-Tech electric, produced respectively at the Maubeuge, Sandouville, and Batilly plants. Renault Group will become the first carmaker in Europe to introduce a Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) in the LCV segment, with the launch of the New Trafic E-Tech electric at the end of 2026,” the press release explains.
By anchoring its transformation in national territory, the Group is demonstrating that it is possible to design, produce, and market competitive electric vehicles accessible from France, while contributing to their democratization.
“This change is accompanied by an in-depth renewal of skills, with 53,000 employees trained in the jobs of tomorrow as part of Reknow University: electrification, battery technologies, artificial intelligence, and circular economy,” Renault emphasizes.
The heart of the industrial north, Douai and Maubeuge
In Douai, in the heart of the industrial north, this dynamic is materializing with the release of the 600,000th electric cars produced by ‘Electricity’ in Douai and Maubeuge. In five years, this industrial hub has become the leading European hub for producing electric vehicles.
The model that embodies this step is undoubtedly emblematic: Renault 5 E-Tech electric. It has become a symbol of a new generation of vehicles designed to concretely support the democratization of electric vehicles.
This ramp-up is reflected in concrete industrial results: the milestone of 100,000 Renault 5s produced was reached at the end of 2025, and the site is on track to exceed 200,000 units since the model’s launch this year. It was with Kangoo ZE that the electric adventure began in Maubeuge in 2011; today, the manufacturer also welcomes the Renault 4 E-Tech electric.
Electricity also stands out for its social dynamics: 700 permanent jobs were created between 2022 and 2025, and an additional 300 positions are currently being recruited for 2027 to support a rapidly growing activity.
In Douai, this acceleration has led to the introduction of a half-time night shift and the hiring of 550 temporary workers since last October. Next September, the site will increase its pace to meet the growing commercial demand.
The northern hub is also asserting its multi-brand dimension: in addition to Renault and Alpine, Electricity’s sites now produce vehicles for Nissan and Mitsubishi, and will soon host production for Ford, further strengthening its strategic role for the European automotive industry.
A choice for France
“Producing electric vehicles in France means preserving jobs, supporting industrial basins, and maintaining strategic know-how,” Renault points out. “Behind every vehicle are also 35,000 indirect jobs within our supplier network, supporting an entire industrial ecosystem.”
“In today’s world, electric vehicles appear to be a concrete answer for our customers. Less dependent on variations in fuel prices, it allows you to ‘fill up’ at home for just over 8 euros and to travel 100 kilometers for less than 3 euros, offering better control of the mobility budget,” Renault emphasizes.
“In an increasingly competitive global market, Renault Group stands for a value-based approach. Producing in France means choosing vehicles designed with high standards of quality, innovation, and responsibility, while guaranteeing local economic benefits,” Renault proudly stresses.
Of course, it’s also a strategic issue: in the face of international competition positioned on low prices, by producing in France and consuming locally manufactured vehicles, Renault wants to support “a sovereign, innovative, and sustainable industry.”
This milestone of one million electric vehicles produced in France and the 600,000 units produced by Electricity clearly illustrates this ambition: turning the electric transition into a true industrial opportunity for France and the French.
