MODEL ON TEST: E-TECH ICONIC ESPRIT ALPINE COMFORT RANGE – MILEAGE – 1,940

I haven’t been this excited about a long-termer since taking delivery of ‘my’ first Diesel&EcoCar test car, a Citroën Grand C4 Picasso, in 2014. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve ‘owned’ some fabulous cars in the subsequent dozen years, but this feels different.Taking delivery of an electric car feels like an event; a marker post in my motoring timeline.

I’ve done diesel, petrol and hybrid, but now it’s time to go fully electric. From a house in rural Devon, where most long journeys involve at least two hours on either the M5 or the A303, and where ‘range anxiety’ could still be a reality. Still, that’s rather the point. If an electric car can slot into life here, it should work almost anywhere. What’s the worst that can happen?

But first, some introductions. The electric car in question is a Renault Megane E-Tech in flagship Iconic Esprit Alpine trim, which features a 60kWh battery, a WLTP range of 279 miles, a maximum DC charging speed of 130kW, and an electric motor producing 215bhp.There are no optional extras as such, although the matte shadow grey with diamond black roof is one of four no-cost colours available. Four years
on from its launch, it still manages to turn heads, although judging by the comments from friends and family, the paintwork has a lot to do with that.

Of course, going electric means thinking beyond the car itself. In the old days, taking delivery of a long-termer meant syncing the smartphone and adjusting the driver’s seat, but an EV requires a little more groundwork.

The most obvious change was the installation of a 7.4kW Ohme Home Pro smart charger, which features a colour screen and a tethered Type 2 cable.

I went for tethered to avoid the faff of having to find the charging cable in the boot when it’s raining, dark, or both. So far, it’s been brilliant, chiefly because it means I don’t have to rely on the public charging network, which would make EV ownership a non-starter for me.

The clever bit is the smart charging, which should really come into its own once Octopus has installed a smart meter and I can switch to the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff.This should unlock cheaper overnight electricity for the car and the house, so the dishwasher, tumble dryer and washing machine may soon be earning their keep in the small hours. I’m already enjoying the oddly satisfying ability to monitor the charging schedule via the excellent Ohme app; seeing it automatically adjust to take advantage of cheaper energy should be even better.

So far, I’ve completed around 1,000 miles in the Megane, around two-thirds of which have been on longer trips. Although it’s too early to say for certain, the claimed 279 miles of range looks
a little optimistic, as I’ve typically seen estimates of between 220 and 250 miles after a full charge. I’m determined to avoid adjusting my driving style and habits, although I must confess to using Eco mode on long trips and Comfort when I’m within striking distance of home. I’m also using the regenerative braking on its maximum setting, and even the one-pedal function in towns and cities. So far, I’m seeing 3.9 miles per kWh, which, given the mileage mix and the extreme temperatures at the end of June, seems impressive. Switching off the climate control to save a few miles when the temperature is in the mid-30s is a sacrifice I’m not prepared to make!

I won’t make any wild predictions at this stage, but the early signs are that I’m going to enjoy life with an electric car. The Megane, the Ohme charger and Octopus are all new to me, but they’re shaping up to be a winning team. I just hope that statement doesn’t come back to bite me before the Megane returns to Renault’s headquarters.

GAVIN BRAITHWAITE-SMITH

WHAT’S HOT: The Ohme Home Pro charger looks oddly at home on a century-old stone wall.

WHAT’S NOT: Early signs are that the official 280 miles of range is a tad optimistic.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT:

12.3-inch digital instruments, 20-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear EfficientGrip 215/45 R20 tyres and tyre repair kit, 60/40 split/fold rear seats, 360-degree reversing camera, Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, Alarm system, Ambient lighting with 48 colours, Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, Automated parking system, Automatic headlights, Autonomous emergency braking system, Blind spot recognition, DAB radio with 12-inch touchscreen, navigation, 9-speakers, Harman Kardon uprated audio system, USB-C sockets, voice control and steering wheel controls, Digital rear-view mirror, Drive mode selector, Driver drowsiness detection, Driver, passenger and head airbags with passenger side de-activation, Dual-zone climate control, Electric and heated mirrors with power folding, Electric front seats with massage functionality for driver, Electric park brake, Electric windows front and rear, Electronic stability programme with traction control, Emergency e-call system, Faux leather and cloth upholstery, Front fog lights, Heat pump, Heated front seats, Heated steering wheel, Hill start assist, ISOFIX child seat safety fasteners for rear outer seats, Keyless entry and start with keycard, Lane centring, Lane departure warning, LED daytime running lights, LED headlights with high beam assist, Parking sensors front, side and rear, Rain sensing windscreen wipers, Rear privacy glass, Rear cross traffic alert system, Safe exit warning, Sports seats, Traffic sign recognition, Tyre pressure monitors, Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth smartphone compatibility and Wireless smartphone charger

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FITTED TO TEST CAR:

None

FACTS & FIGURES

PRICE: (NEW) £36,995

PRICE: (AS TESTED) £36,995

ELECTRIC CAR GRANT ELIGIBLE? Yes, £1,500

COLOUR: Matte shadow grey with diamond roof

BUILT IN: Douai, France

CODENAME: BCB

GENERATION: 5

PLATFORM: CMF-EV

BODYSTYLE: 5-door hatchback, 5-seats

LAYOUT: Front-wheel drive

POWERPLANT: Single electric motor and 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack

GEARBOX: 1-speed automatic

MAX POWER: 160kW/215bhp/217ps

MAX TORQUE: 221lb ft/300Nm

TOP SPEED: 99mph

0-62MPH: 7.5secs

CO2 EMISSIONS: 0g/km

ECONOMY: (COMBINED) 4.09 miles/kWh

ECONOMY: (ON TEST) 3.9 miles/kWh

RANGE: (COMBINED) 279 miles

RECHARGE TIME:
AC 2.3kW (15-80%) 19 hours 48 minutes
AC 7.4kW (15-80%) 6 hours 1 minutes
AC 11kW (15-80%) 4 hours 10 mins
DC 130kW (15-80%) 32 minutes

INSURANCE GROUP: 26

BIK RATE: (2026/2027 TAX YEAR) 4%

SIZE: (LENGTH/WIDTH WITH MIRRORS/HEIGHT/ WHEELBASE) 4,200/2,055/1,505/2,685mm

BOOT SPACE: (MIX/MAX) 440/1,332 litres

KERB WEIGHT: 1,708kg

TOWING WEIGHT: 900kg

EURO NCAP RATING: Five stars

SPARE WHEEL: (FULL-SIZE/SPACESAVER/RUN-FLAT/ SELF-SEALING/REPAIR KIT) No/no/no/no/yes 

WARRANTY: 3 years/60,000 miles

DATE ARRIVED: 2nd June 2026

COSTS: None

FAULTS: None