Two New Affordable Renault Electric Cars For India Confirmed: Details
Renault India’s sales have lately been on a decline. Their market share has fallen to less than 1 per cent. The manufacturer is now working on introducing a new range of SUVs and compact electric utility vehicles in the country. These will be critical in reviving its lost glory. These EVs will sit on the affordable side of things.
Autocar Professional reports that Renault India is developing an EV based on the Kiger and Triber. The project is internally called RJ2K5. The production is expected to start in late 2026 and the market launch is likely to happen by March 2027. The EV would be based on a dedicated EV platform. The Kiger is Renault’s premium SUV. Its electric version will target mass-market buyers and could possibly have a price of around 15 lakh. Such pricing will make it accessible to more Indian buyers.
The second upcoming EV will be based on the Triber MPV. It will cater to large families and possibly to fleet operators as well. To ensure competitive pricing, Renault is reportedly in discussions with Tata AutoComp to locally source batteries for its electric models.
Renault hopes that 2025 will bring changes to its fortunes. It will launch the facelifts of the Kiger and Triber this year. Restyling and feature revamps are expected on the new vehicles. The EVs will be based on the updated Kiger and Triber.
Legacy models like Duster will also make a comeback this year. The new Duster will be based on the Dacia Bigster and will likely have its market launch in 2026. The new SUV will be bigger than its predecessor and will come feature-packed. It will even feature ADAS. Though nothing around it is known yet, Renault could also consider bringing back the Logan sedan. With the likes of Maruti Dzire and Honda Amaze out on sale in the newest forms, it could have a chance as well.
Renault and its alliance partner Nissan had previously announced a ₹5,400 crore investment to develop six new models for the Indian market, a plan that includes these upcoming SUVs and EVs. The company’s 2024 low was anticipated, and Renault’s management acknowledged its current struggles, with sales dropping to an average of fewer than 4,000 units per month and its market position slipping below Volkswagen’s.
The Group CEO Luca de Meo emphasized Renault’s commitment to India, stating that the company is “ready to bet on the future” with Nissan’s support. He acknowledged that past efforts were too focused on producing the cheapest cars to enable mobility access, but the market’s evolution demands a more creative and differentiated approach.
However, insiders believe that for the brand to truly regain its foothold, it must go beyond minor updates and delayed launches. A sharper focus on product innovation, improving customer experience, and proactive market engagement will be essential to reversing the brand’s current downward trajectory.
Renault India has also had a major change in leadership. Following Sudhir Malhotra’s departure, Francisco Hidalgo Marques, former CEO of Dacia Spain has taken over as the top hat.
Despite its current challenges, Renault remains optimistic about India’s long-term potential within the Renault-Nissan alliance. De Meo highlighted that while the brand is currently at a low point in its lifecycle in India, Renault has proven in the past—with models like the Duster, Logan, and Kwid—that it can succeed in the market, and that it will make a strong comeback.