New Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric shows the way to carbon-free mobility: zero emissions in use, use of recycled materials in its design, second life for batteries and high recyclability at end of life. The challenges of the new era are already embodied by this Renault “new wave” model. By combining innovation and respect for the environment, New Renault Mégane E-TECH Electric reflects the brand’s desire to be part of the ecological transition and contributes to the Renault Group’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040. Quentin, environmental pilot in Materials Engineering, tells the story of the “green” car he helped create.
Designing more virtuous vehicles for the environment is its job. Do it trying to respond to societal and environmental challenges which now punctuate our daily life and shape our future, it is the (big) plus that he tries to bring to his level, that of materials. Quentin, environment pilot in materials engineering at Renault, was served with New Megane E-TECH Electrica model that proves that environmental issues are more than ever at the heart of the company’s strategy. Thirty years ago, the approach began with the use of recycled plastics in vehicles. It is accelerating today and experiencing another dimension. Sourcing and manufacturing ecosystems are now being designed or redesigned to be part of a circular economy dynamic, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the vehicle long before it is put into circulation. Local sourcing, committed suppliers, recycled materials: it opens the door to new perspectives in terms of sustainable mobility.
From its design, New Mégane E-TECH Electric has been part of a circular economy approach. Assembled in France, at the Douai factory, this electric model reflects the group’s commitments to preserve resources, thanks to local production and work upstream and downstream with suppliers and recycling channels.
QuentinEnvironment pilot in materials engineering
RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION
Direction the North of France, where New Mégane E-TECH Electric is assembled. At the Douai factory, within the ElectriCity division, hundreds of vehicles travel the production lines every day. The model embodies the values of responsible production with the supply of parts as close as possible to the place of assembly and the use of many recycled materials. 70% of its overall mass is sourced in Europe.
Both outside and inside, everything is designed to optimize resources. For example, several body parts are made from aluminum. A material that makes it possible to lighten the bodywork for better autonomy and whose use is also thought out in a circular way. How ? During stamping, when the aluminum is cut to give the desired shape to the parts, the resulting scrap material is sorted, compacted and sent back to the initial supplier who reintegrates them into its production cycle. They then return to the Douai factory to be used in the manufacture of new pieces. This short recycling loop helps reduce the carbon footprint of the vehicle’s manufacture and to secure the stock of materials.
Aluminum offcuts represent around 40% of the volumes used for stamping parts. Thanks to their 100% recycling, we are implementing a circular economy, while maintaining the quality of the material. The circle, the most environmentally and economically virtuous, is closed!
FabriceExpert recyclage Renault Group
ON BOARD, RECYCLED PLASTICS MAKE THEIR PLACE
Inside the vehicle, many parts such as the dashboard, center console, seat covers and carpets use recycled materials. The car takes on average 28 kilos of recycled plastics. A performance that allows it to fit even more into the carbon footprint reduction trajectory wanted by the company. By 2030, Renault Group is aiming for an overall objective of 33% recycled materials on board its vehicles.
My role is to prescribe the most carbon-free materials possible and to enrich the scope of recycled materials. On New Mégane E-TECH Electric, the rate of recycled plastics has been increased by 20% compared to Renault ZOE.
QuentinEnvironment pilot in materials engineering
A RECYCLABILITY RATE OVER 90%
New Mégane E-TECH Electric goes even further in its environmental ambition and paves the way for new promising projects, in particular recycling the materials and metals that make up its batteries. These recycled elements will one day be used for the manufacture of new batteries for the Gigafactory which will come out of the ground on the Douai site from 2024.
In total, New Mégane E-TECH Electric has a recyclability rate of over 90%. It thus marks the beginning of a new era, more committed, more responsible, to the greatest satisfaction of Quentin, who thus puts his daily work in line with his ideas.