Renault Bets All-In on Electric Vehicles

There's no doubt that the economic recession changed the way automakers think. Just look at their product lineup and you'll get it in a second: most companies are now focusing on developing fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly models while almost a half of the world's manufacturers are considering developing electric cars. And doing so is a brilliant idea, according to companies' executives, because the automotive sector really needs this kind of cars. However, automakers need full support from their governments, Renault officials recently stated, with incentives and low taxes likely to boost people's interest in electric models.

Jerome Perrin, head of Renault’s research, advanced studies and materials division, said at a conference this month that the French government should maintain the 5,000 euros subsidy for people buying a low-polluting or no-emission car, Autonews Europe wrote today, and continue its efforts on this matter.

“In 2012, we will need these conditions, even if it is clear that the situation will have to change by 2020,” Perrin was quoted as saying by Autonews.

In addition, the other governments should adopt similar measures to support automakers in designing green cars, Perrin said. Renault expects the green car market to grow to a minimum 2 million units annually during the 2015-2020 period, the same source wrote.

But even so, countries across Europe should also invest in infrastructure because it's practically impossible to sell green cars without allowing customers to recharge or replace batteries on the go.

“Running battery changing stations is a service activity, and there’s no doubt we’re going to see an industrial investor step in and handle that,” Perrin said, expressing his confidence that the green car sector will receive support.