The Renault R5, an historic commercial success
Figures that speak for themselves
In 2025, the success of the Renault R5 electric car exceeded all forecasts. With 37,997 registrations over the year, it easily dethroned the Tesla Model Y. Yet the latter is a global benchmark for electric vehicles. Despite this, it sold 19,207 units in 2025, almost 20,000 fewer than the electric Renault R5.
As early as January 2025, the tone was set with 2,813 registrations, which immediately put the Renault R5 at the top of the electric vehicle rankings. And this leadership will continue throughout the year. These results bear witness to the fact that the French market has embraced the R5's positioning as an accessible electric car with character and solid technical attributes.
The social leasing has also contributed to this performance. Thanks to it, many households have been able to access electric mobility on attractive financial terms. But beyond the general public, the professional sector also accounted for a growing proportion of purchases.
Why the Renault R5 is so attractive to professional fleets
Ultra-competitive TCO
Le TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is the decisive argument for any fleet manager. The Renault R5 E-Tech electric stands out for its substantial savings over the entire life cycle of the vehicle.
The first area for savings is energy. Faced with a thermal vehicle With an average fuel consumption of 5.6 litres per 100 kilometres, the R5 electric car cuts costs by a factor of four. On the basis of 15,000 kilometres per year, the energy cost of a petrol car is around €1,400 per year. The Renault R5, on the other hand, requires just €350 a year in electricity, with recharging at €0.20 per kWh at the regulated rate. That's a saving of €3,150 over three years.
Maintenance is the second major advantage of electric cars. Like all electric cars, the Renault R5 has far fewer engine parts than an equivalent internal combustion vehicle. As a result, maintenance costs are reduced by 30 to 40 %.
All in all, the adoption of the Renault R5 means substantial savings compared with a combustion-powered city car in the same segment. This economic performance places the Renault R5 among the electric vehicles offering the best return on investment.
Tax advantages
In addition to operating savings, taxation represents a considerable financial lever for companies that choose to go electric. The Renault R5 E-Tech benefits from all the tax breaks available for zero-emission vehicles:
- Total exemption from Taxes on the use of passenger vehicles (ex-TVS) is the first advantage.
- The second is the benefit in kind for employees who have a company car.
- As a result Energy Savings Certificates (CEE) provides additional support. This scheme, which is of particular interest to sole traders and very small businesses, provides financial support for the purchase of an electric vehicle.
- Finally, the accounting depreciation of electric vehicles benefits from special tax treatment. While the tax-deductible depreciation of internal combustion vehicles is capped, electric vehicles benefit from a higher tax deduction.
Simplified regulatory compliance
Faced with a constantly evolving regulatory framework, the integration of electric vehicles into fleets is becoming a necessity.
La Mobility Orientation Act (LOM) imposes progressive quotas for low-emission vehicles in business fleets. From 1 January 2024, fleets must include at least 20% of low-emission vehicles in their acquisitions. This threshold will rise to 40% in 2027 and 70% in 2030. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in fines of €4,000 in 2026 and €5,000 in 2027. With this law, no less than 64% of companies in France planning to electrify their fleets.
In addition, Les Low Emission Zones (LEZ) have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in France's major conurbations. For an urban fleet, being equipped with Renault R5 electric vehicles guarantees unlimited access to all these areas. Now and in the years to come.
The features that make all the difference for professional use
A city car tailored to business needs
- Format and practicality
At just 3.92 metres long, the Renault R5 E-Tech is the ideal size for urban and suburban mobility. Its compactness makes it easy to park in city centres, while its turning circle of 10.3 metres makes it remarkably agile in narrow streets. This manoeuvrability reduces the stress of driving in urban environments and minimises the risk of accidents. Despite its compact dimensions, the Renault R5 has a boot capacity of 1,000 litres, plenty of space for transporting objects.
- Autonomy and charging capacity
The Renault R5 E-Tech has a battery 55 kWh, offering a WLTP range of 400 kilometres. For a recharge from 10% to 80% on fast charge (also known as DC), it needs 33 minutes to cover 320 km. On a slow charge (also known as AC, and generally associated with home charging points), it takes 5 hours 45 minutes to fully recharge. Finally, with fast charging or direct current (generally used at professional charging points), it takes 57 minutes to recharge to 80%.
| Temps de recharge | Temps de recharge | Temps de recharge | Temps de recharge |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Fast charging station
(up to 350 kW)
|
Public bollard or high-power bollard (up to 50 kW)
|
AC terminal
(from 11 to 22 kW)
|
Domestic terminal (from 11 to 22 kW)
|
|
26 min
|
51 min
|
1h57
|
1h51
|
- Technology and safety
The Renault R5's technological equipment has nothing to envy from the current standards of professional vehicles. The openR link multimedia system features two 10-inch screens for optimum readability of driving information. Smartphone replication gives drivers easy access to their business applications. This connectivity facilitates the integration of the Renault R5 into the company's digital ecosystem. There are also a host of advanced driving aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition and automatic emergency braking, all of which enhance driver safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
What's more, the automatic climate control system enhances comfort. Finally, a practical but effective detail: the illuminated charge indicator integrated into the bonnet, featuring the emblematic number «5», allows the battery level to be seen instantly from outside the vehicle.
Find all the details and prices of the Renault r5 on its data sheet.
Beev's support for a successful transition
The electrification of a business fleet cannot be improvised. It requires an in-depth analysis of usage and a rigorous selection of vehicles and infrastructure. It also requires a thorough understanding of the support available. This is precisely the kind of comprehensive support that Beev can provide to turn your project into an operational success.
Fleet audit and TCO analysis
Each company has its own specific uses which determine the success of an electric transition. The Beev experts carry out a detailed audit of your current fleet. They analyse actual mileage, journey types, parking times and all your teams' operational constraints.
This analysis enables us to establish a precise comparative TCO between your current vehicles and the electric solutions to be considered. Far from generic estimates, Beev's experts calculate your real savings for a clear, quantified return on investment.
Installation of charging stations
L'recharging infrastructure is the cornerstone of any successful electrification strategy. Beev carries out a complete electrical diagnosis of your sites. Our experts assess the available power, identify any modifications required and size the installation to meet present and future needs.
As a certified IRVE (Infrastructure de Recharge pour Véhicule Électrique) partner, Beev guarantees an installation that complies with current safety standards and regulatory obligations. In addition, this certification is essential in order to benefit from the financial aid available.
As well as technical installation, Beev also offers supervision solutions with the Fleet Manager for simplified fleet management.
Assistance with grants
The transition to electric vehicles benefits from a wide range of aid schemes, but their administrative complexity can discourage companies. Beev can take care of all the paperwork to maximise your subsidies. Its experts also include all the tax advantages in their recommendations: accelerated depreciation, exemption from TAVT (formerly -TVS), reduction in benefits in kind, etc. In addition to direct aid, Beev can also guide you towards the most suitable financing solutions, such as long-term leasing or leasing with an option to buy.
Conclusion
The success of the Renault R5 is no accident. This electric city car combines all the qualities sought after by professional fleet managers: an unbeatable TCO, advantageous taxation, guaranteed regulatory compliance and perfectly adapted technical features. By dethroning the Tesla Model Y, it demonstrates that French electric cars are meeting market expectations.
The year 2026 promises to be a major opportunity for companies looking to green their fleets. Despite a tightening of quotas under the LOM law, financial aid for professionals remains significant. Integrating the Renault R5 into your fleet now means anticipating regulatory changes, immediately reducing operating costs and reinforcing your image as a responsible company.
