Renault Megane E-Tech 2024 electric car owner review

Kaboom drives a Renault Megane E-Tech 60kWh 2024.

This is Kaboom’s third electric car, they’ve owned the Renault Megane E-Tech from new and drive 5,000-10,000 miles annually. The current mileage of the car is between 1,000-5,000 miles and they achieve 260 miles from a full charge.

Why did you choose the Renault Megane E-Tech?

It doesn’t feel heavy like most (60kWh battery) EVs do. It drives really well, it’s nicely balanced and the steering is responsive. The most fun car I’ve had in a long time!

Positives

The styling is so chic!
the heater controls are physical buttons
you don’t need a head-up display because, the ‘view’ button puts the sat nav right in front of you
it’s incredibly comfortable, quiet & quick without feeling like a 2-tonne barge that’ll get out of control
the technology is utterly brilliant unlike some EVs that say they do all these clever things but are just a bit rubbish.

The Megane E-Tech has not under-delivered for me at all. The headlights are excellent, full of clever tech and are literally brilliant! I’ve got one-touch windows all round which is nice. The wipers work properly, even the rear wiper does a last wipe a few seconds after a wash-wipe. The adaptive cruise control works an absolute treat on the motorway. Find me another car that charges as fast as 22kW AC. The Megane E-Tech feels safe, sounds like a spaceship and drives beautifully. It’s just fantastic!

Negatives

I would have liked an arm rest for the back seats although not a deal-breaker. Can’t think of anything else, it’s lush!

Compared to when you first bought the car, does your battery still charge at the same rate & do you still get the same range?

Now that I’ve driven the car for a while but I am getting more miles out of the battery. The ‘tutor’ reports a ‘driving score’ for your journey and helps you to learn how to drive more efficiently. It’s May and I’m getting 5 miles per kWh on average which equates to 300 miles range. Wait until the weather gets warmer and I bet I’ll increase this to 5.5 miles per kWh or even more!

Have you experienced any faults with the car? If so, what have they been?

A couple of cosmetic issues that the dealership has already rectified or in the process of doing so. Amazingly, both Renault UK and the dealership have been excellent.

What are the standout technological features of the car?

Oh, how long have you got?!

There’s the beautiful, high-resolution screens: one in front of you and the other tilted towards the driver like you’re in a cockpit. Plus, you can actually reach them!

The control screen actually senses your finger with just one press each time. Then, the Megane E-Tech runs Google Assistant so you can do loads of ordinary stuff, “turn on heated seat”, “turn down heated seat”, “turn on heated steering wheel”, “turn down the temperature”, “get me directions to…” etc. using just your voice and without taking your eyes off the road at all.

The drive-motor is a highly advanced, electrically excited, synchronous design that is also oil-cooled. It hasn’t got any permanent magnets to wear out and it can adjust the motor power through the coils for greater efficiency.

The battery is also fully temperature-controlled, ultra-thin and fitted so low down that the Megane hardly leans at all as you drive through twisty roads.

Tell us something people wouldn’t readily know about this electric car

As you walk up to the car it puts on a light-show, unfolds the mirrors, shines two BIG Renault logos onto the driveway either side of the car lighting your way (when it’s dark!) and then pushes out the flush-fitting door handles to greet you. Absolutely lovely every time it does it!! Ask the Megane for directions and it’ll tell you where to charge along the way. Not many EVs do that, I can tell you!

What’s the biggest or funniest myth you’ve heard about EVs?

That the batteries only last 8 years. The battery in the Megane E-Tech is predicted to be perfectly useable even when the rest of the car is completely worn out.

What electric car(s) are you interested in next and why?

I’ll likely stay with Renault as the battery tech is exceedingly high. Maybe a Renault 5 as a second car.

Home charging unit

myenergi zappi 7kW – works perfectly fine. A bit complicated to set up if I’m honest but now it’s done, it’s great. I can start a charge remotely or the charger can start one automatically when the sun comes out. Very happy with my zappi!

Electricity supplier & tariff

Octopus Energy EV tariff – gives you about 4 hours of low cost electricity in the middle of the night. Perfectly fine for our purposes and manageable.

What public charging networks would you recommend to others and why?

On day trips we tend to look for destinations where we can charge at 22kW AC once there. This gives us the range we need and the car is nearly always charged up and ready for our return journey. AC is often cheaper too. We avoid DC rapid charging at the services if we can. On much longer journeys you can’t avoid DC charging really but you can still avoid the services as often there’s a super fast charge station just off the motorway.

Insurer

Direct Line – been absolutely brilliant each time, no drama or concerns. Lovely to deal with, faultless!

Please itemise where you’re saving money (or not) owning & running a Renault Megane E-Tech

If you’re able, charge at home using the solar PV as much as you can and then your journeys are either mostly free or completely free. If you have to charge from the grid then do it with the cheaper off-peak rate.