Since 1920, no fewer than 12 Presidents of the French Republic have trusted Renault vehicles for their daily official transport, maintaining a close relationship between the brand and the presidency, according to Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group.
With the recent announcement of Renault’s return to the presidential garage, the firm continues a century-old tradition symbolizing a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
“Few companies symbolize France as much as Renault, and we are proud to demonstrate this once again on this 14th of July,” de Meo expressed.
In this context, a question arises: how many of these official cars over the years have been electrified?
Here’s a journey through the intertwined stories of Renault and the Presidency, by Mobility Portal Europe.
2024: Renault Rafale
On July 14th this year, representatives of Renault Group announced that their new model, “Rafale” would become the new official car of the Presidency.
President Emmanuel Macron chose the latest addition from the company to use as a means of transport for the celebrations of the mentioned date, which gives considerable importance to the adoption of sustainable mobility.
While the car is a rechargeable E-Tech Hybrid (PHEV), since electric vehicles (EVs) do not yet guarantee the required security measures for transporting a high-ranking authority, it indicates a promising step towards the next chosen car being completely zero emissions.
The car offers an electric driving experience without needing recharging, allowing up to 80 percent of city driving time and reaching speeds of up to 130 kilometres per hour.
This innovative vehicle stands out for its ability to efficiently recharge the battery during deceleration and braking phases, significantly contributing to fuel savings of up to 40 percent.
At the heart of the Renault Rafale is its full hybrid E-Tech engine, delivering a maximum power of 147 kilowatts, equivalent to 200 horsepower.
In terms of sustainability, the PHEV is an environmentally friendly option, with CO2 emissions starting at 105 grams per kilometre according to the WLTP cycle.
Finally, the battery capacity of the Renault Rafale allows a range of up to 1,100 kilometres, ensuring that long journeys are undertaken without concerns.
2016: Renault Espace V Armoured
The previous President of France, François Hollande, converted a Renault Espace V into the official vehicle of his presidency.
His successor, Macron, later used this vehicle to travel along the Champs-Élysées on the day of his inauguration in 2017.
The Espace V can offer up to 80 percent electric driving in the city, providing an impressive range of up to 1,100 kilometres.
This versatile vehicle can be configured from seven to five seats and has a boot volume of up to 943 litres, adapting to space needs.
Equipped with full hybrid E-Tech technology, the PHEV allows up to 40 percent fuel savings, automatically alternating between electric, thermal, or hybrid driving modes according to driving conditions.
Battery recharging is efficiently performed during braking or deceleration phases, without needing an external power source connection.
In terms of sustainability, it has WLTP mixed cycle CO2 emissions ranging from 106 to 109 grams per kilometre and a mixed cycle fuel consumption of between 4.7 and 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
As the last two models chosen by French President Macron were electrified, the president is making a mark in history.
Not only that, but Macron is also recognised by the eMobility sector for his commitment to the electrification of transport.
However, car manufacturers like Renault must reinforce their dedication to sustainability by producing EVs that meet all the demands of a presidential car.
In doing so, they will not only have a significant impact but also become a benchmark for the global automotive industry and other international leaders, driving a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
