At less than 25 years old, Yoann Gaudence did not choose a Renault Mégane by chance for his taxi activity in Vienne. A fan of the brand, Alpine and Formula 1, he fell in love with this car, especially in red. On the other hand, the switch to electric is more surprising, when he initially thought of buying a diesel model. Portrait.
Megane EV60 Super Charge
Displayed from 43,200 euros (bonus not deducted and excluding options) on August 9, 2022 on the Losange site, the model chosen by Yoann Gaudence is presented under the exact developed name of “ Renault Mégane e-Tech EV60 220 ch Super Charge Techno ».
This already means that his electric car has the lithium-ion battery available today with the highest energy capacity for this model. Its usable 60 kWh, once morest 40 kWh for the entry-level, allow the manufacturer to communicate on a range of 450 km in the WLTP mixed cycle.
This model is also the most powerful, with a synchronous motor with wound rotor which develops, not 96 kW or 130 hp, but 160 kW (220 hp), for a maximum torque of 300 Nm. Super Charge indicates that, on a fast terminal, the charging power can on paper amount to up to 130 kW of power. But also that the machine received a 7.4 kW AC charger, unlike the Optimum Charge version mounted with a 22 kW device.
The Techno finish is mid-range. It brings, among other things, 20-inch alloy wheels, glazing with a chrome finish, and rear over-tinting and LED lights. Metallic flame red paint is an 850 euro option.
From STMG ferry to taxi seat
At almost 25, Yoann Gaudence has been a taxi driver for less than a year. Perhaps he is the first in his profession to have chosen a Renault Megane Electric. If he wasn’t, he would probably be the youngest.
Apart from the entirely autonomous models which circulate in a more or less experimental way, are there Renault Zoe Taxi in France? And some Electric Kangoos ? Not sure. Our interlocutor might well be among the very first to offer races in an electric Renault with a lithium-ion pack.
« Before becoming a taxi driver, I navigated right and left. In any case, you must be at least 21 years old to practice this profession. My STMG baccalaureate intended me more for human resources. I spent time in college “, he comments.
« I am the son and grandson of a truck driver. Which certainly explains why I love road jobs. I felt it when I became paramedic auxiliary. I talked a lot with taxi drivers. Then I passed the specific permit “, he completes.
A very well made French car
It is not with an electric vehicle that Yoann Gaudence began to exercise his profession. ” I started out with a Peugeot 508 130 horsepower diesel from which I came away quite disappointed. In electric, I had tried, to discover, only one e-208, not compatible in France with the taxi business. Previously, for my personal trips, I had had a red Mégane which I regretted a lot », Appears-t-il.
« I had stayed in contact with the Renault sales agent. He invited me to discover the new generation of this model. I found her really beautiful. And when I saw it in red, I fell in love. I first thought of acquiring it in diesel, but it was electric. I inquired to see if it might be suitable with taxi activity. And I signed for a copy that I received a few days ago “, he reports.
« I wanted to drive in a very well made French car. And then the fuel prices are too high. It is also partly thanks to Automobile Propre and all the advice given in the articles that I was able to switch to the electric car “, he adds.
Full of energy at Tesla
« The taxi business is very diverse. In town, it is possible to do a lot of small errands in the day without adding up a large daily mileage. I work in the countryside. I regularly accompany people from here to take them from their homes to the hospital or for their shopping. I also pick up travelers at the station to drop them off at the hotel. I often take children to a care center, every same day of the week and at the same time “, details Yoann Gaudence.
« And then I have last-minute transport, sometimes with long trips. Since I started, my furthest outward journey totaled 550 km, to drop off a person north of the Paris region. With large amplitudes, I place my daily average in a range of 350-450 km “, he calculates.
« I charge the car at home every night from a 7 kW wallbox. I have already experienced a sudden stress while taking care of a last minute client when I had only 15% of energy left in the battery. But I am lucky to be able to count close to home on a Tesla station, recently opened in Châtellerault with 16 stelae. I thus regain 40% capacity in 20 minutes “, he testifies.
The coffee offered to customers during possible refills
« Many taxi drivers are apprehensive regarding going electric. And yet the charging is so fast and the operation of the terminals is intuitive. I have as much passion for technologies as for cars, and I love my job as a taxi “, pleads Yoann Gaudence.
« I chat a lot with other drivers. For some, a car like mine is a no-no. First by invoking a bad reputation for the Renaults. And then because it is electric. But others reflect, remembering the 120 euro fill-up of diesel to be done every 2-3 days, when I spend between 9 and 12 euros to travel 400 km “, he opposes.
« There are terminals now everywhere on my journeys, and I arrive at a consumption of 13.5-14 kWh/100 km. When I stop for 15-20 minutes to recharge while running, I offer coffee to my customers. They appreciate this attention. Anyway, even with a diesel car I would stop just as much to stretch my legs and rest my sight “, he assures.
A car that challenges
« Externally, the new Mégane challenges and people turn around in its path. The color red attracts. There is also the new logo. The other taxis and paramedics are curious and want to find out regarding the car. Noticing the big screen, one of my clients was amazed. He thought he was in a Tesla and that Renault was not able to offer such equipment with Internet access “, underlines Yoann Gaudence.
« From the outside, the Mégane may appear a little too compact, even small. This is no longer the case when people board. They find that the space available is generous. With its 440 liters, the trunk may be a little tight, but I can fit 3 large suitcases in it. “, he continues.
« It’s a nice car. Passengers sit easily in it, including the elderly people I transport for medical reasons, because the seats are at the right height. It’s much better than with the Peugeot 508 and the comfort is much better. When they realize that it is an electric car, they are very surprised “, he would almost have fun.
What positive?
« In general, customers like young taxis that are modern. Having thoroughly enjoyed the trip in the Mégane, a lady in her sixties told me that her next car would be electric. I am often asked the same questions: Why are there no gears to change? Why is the car silent? How does it recharge? », Reveals Yoann Gaudence.
« Today I see only positive to use the electric Megane for my taxi business. Maybe I will have negative points to go up following a longer period of use he reflects.
« Ah, yes, the search for charging points is not fine enough. If I ask for fast terminals, for example, I will not find that les stations Ionity or Tesla. I will also have those installed in the car parks of Lidl stores or Ikea. They are much less interesting for me and I would like to have the possibility of not receiving them in the selection returned by the application “, he hopes.
It’s vacation time for our interlocutor. He will discover his electric Renault Mégane even more by making long personal journeys. By going particularly to the Basque Country and the Paris region. This will serve him on his return to his professional activity.
Automobile Propre and I would like to thank Yoann Gaudence very much for his responsiveness, his availability, his sympathy and the time he gave us. We wish him a good holiday and to continue to live his taxi activity in an electric car.
