Customers switched on to electric cars as sales charge ahead

Customers of Mitchells Lowestoft are switched on to electric cars as Renault expands its zero-emissions range.

The French manufacturer is a pioneer of electric vehicles (EV) with the Zoe supermini, launched in 2012, one of the first affordable electric cars.

The new Renault EV range is really appealing to customers who are charging ahead with green, emissions-free motoring.

Mitchells dealer principal Matt Huke-Jenner said: “So far this year 30% of our sales are EVs.”

That is a huge achievement for Mitchells Lowestoft considering the government set a target for manufacturers that 28% of their sales this year must be electric vehicles.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed the most-important, biggest-selling sales month of March, with the early-year introduction of the new registration plate, was the largest month ever for EV sales.

Registrations grew 43.2% in March, compared to March 2024, to 69,313 registrations but the market share still only rose from 15.2% to 19.4%, well short of the government’s mandate.

The Renault EV range of Megane and Scenic E-Tech models has now been joined by the Renault 5 E-Tech which replaces the Zoe.

“We have seen a positive switch to EVs. Customers are open to the idea of electric cars,” said Matt.

Mitchells sold 16 Renault 5s in the first month after its demonstrator arrived at the dealership.

“What makes it even more satisfying is that 80% of those customers are conquest sales from other brands and 80% first-time EV buyers.

“The first customer cars start arriving in April and people will see them on the road from April and May,” he said.

The line-up will be further boosted in summer with the launch of a pure electric version of the Renault 4, another of the brand’s firm favourites from the past.

“Renault is marketing its electric vehicles as affordable alternatives to petrol and diesel cars.

“You have got to be able to charge them at home to make it really worthwhile and take advantage of the cheap electricity tariffs that are offer. Then it makes great sense.

“The Megane has a 250-mile range and you can charge it at home for £4 on some overnight tariffs,” he explained.

“The Renault 5 has already captured the hearts and minds of customers. We’re seeing older customers who learned to drive in the original Renault 5 or their first car was a Renault 5.

“The Renault designers have been very clever in carrying all those design cues over.

“The Renault 4 will also build on that.”