KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Renault Megane EV spotted rolling in Chennai
- Donning local number plate, potentially for internal testing
- Could be a test run for India launch soon via CBU route
Renault is planning big launches for India, where the Renault Duster SUV and its 7-seater sibling, the Boreal, are among the most anticipated models in the pipeline for the domestic market. While it is already known that a hybrid Duster is also in the works and will be introduced after some time of the ICE variants, there is something more to the picture. Just recently, the Renault Megane EV has been spied with local number plate and that too without camo, fuelling rumours anout the arrival of this new EV soon. Read on why it could possibly be the EV that Renault brings here and why we think it could be the one, but before that, make sure to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community of petrolheads to never miss out on any updates from the automotive world.
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Renault Megane EV Finally Ready For Its India Run?
The Renault Megane SUV is nothing new, as the model continues to be operational in multiple international markets, and this is also not the first time it has been spotted. Last year too, Renault was almost on the verge of introducing this very EV as a CBU unit import, with prices expected to be north of Rs 45 lakhs ex-showroom. While that could have been an expensive affair due to the taxes at that time, the situation is now flipped upside down. The import duty is now at 15%, down from the previous whopping 110% that almost made it impossible to make sense for what it usually offers.
The Renault Megane EV has once again been seen on Indian roads, fuelling fresh speculation about the French automaker's electric ambitions in the country. While the Megane E-Tech Electric was previously spotted in 2023 for what was believed to be internal testing, this latest sighting could indicate something more substantial in the pipeline. Although there's no official word from Renault yet, the timing is interesting, especially with India's recent import duty cut for EVs from 110% to 15% under certain conditions, making it far more feasible to bring global EVs here as CBUs.
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More Details
Originally launched in Europe in 2022, the Megane EV is built on the Renault-Nissan CMF-EV platform. It comes in two motor options internationally: a 96 kW (130 hp) and a punchier 160 kW (220 hp) version, the latter capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.4 seconds. While earlier models offered both 40 kWh and 60 kWh battery packs, the larger 60 kWh pack has become the standard in most markets, delivering up to 460 km (WLTP range) on a full charge. Charging options range from a 150 kW DC fast charger that can juice up from 15% to 80% in just over 30 minutes, to a 7.4 kW AC home charger that takes around 6 hours.
If launched, the Megane EV could be positioned to take on premium mid-range EVs in India, including potential rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric, XEV 9e, and others. For now, all eyes are on Renault to see if these sightings signal a strategic entry into India's expanding electric vehicle space although it is the Boreal that will be coming ahead of these vehicles.
Verdict
If Renault does bring the Megane EV to India, it could mark a significant shift in the brand's positioning, signalling a move towards a more premium, tech-forward image aligned with global trends. For customers, it would offer a compelling new alternative in the growing midsize EV space, combining European styling, practical range, and proven underpinnings. More broadly, its arrival could also reflect growing confidence among global automakers in India's evolving EV ecosystem, especially with policy shifts making premium EVs more accessible. If priced strategically, the Megane EV could give Renault a much-needed halo product while sparking healthy competition in the segment.
