Rather than dying out as some detractors claim, it seems the Australian EV price war is hotting up even further.
First came the price drops in the budget end of the market (GWM, BYD and MG), and then significant price falls for some of the older tech mid-market models (Nissan Leaf and Leaf e+ plus the pre-update Peugeot e-2008).
Now, Renault have announced an effective $10k drop in the price of the Megane E-Tech. It used to cost around $70,000 on-the-road (in Victoria – which is basically its full price without subsidies), but the Renault Australia website now lists the Victorian driveaway price for the Megane E-Tech as $60,104.
For those who may not have looked at the Megane E-Tech previously – this new price may make a few people reconsider it as an option now it has effectively moved down a full price bracket!
The Megane E-Tech was reviewed by TheDriven earlier this year. It compares favourably with the new Kona electric as well as the BYD options – although it was slightly more in price than the Kona and considerably more than the BYD and MG models.
Since then we have seen more competition in the small crossover/SUV segment – in particular, the Volvo EX30 starting at $67,500 on the road (before subsidies).
Previously the Megane E-Tech offered a European styled and made car, albeit at a growing price premium over the Chinese built GWM, BYD and MG models. Now however that price differential has been reduced – and in the case of the Kona, reversed.
This new on-the-road pricing will apply until June 30 – although given several other ‘temporary’ price drops have been renewed as the EV Price War rages on, it will be interesting to see what price the Megane may/may not return to after that date.
The Peugeot price drop – up to a stunning $25,000 – reportedly resulted in its stock being exhausted within days. Renault has sold just 97 models of the Megane’s E-Tech in Australia in 2024.
Bryce Gaton is an expert on electric vehicles and contributor for The Driven and Renew Economy. He has been working in the EV sector since 2008 and is currently working as EV electrical safety trainer/supervisor for the University of Melbourne. He also provides support for the EV Transition to business, government and the public through his EV Transition consultancy EVchoice.