Renault to launch first hybrid by 2020

After spending millions of euros developing electric vehicles, Renault has confirmed it will launch its first-ever hybrid model by the year 2020.

The French automaker is toying around with a mild hybrid drivetrain that uses a small electric motor to save fuel and a plug-in hybrid unit capable of powering the car on electricity alone in order to decide which setup is better suited to its cars.  Marc Bodin, the director of Renault’s powertrain division, believes that both drivetrains have pros and cons.

“Mild hybrid drivetrains are less expensive and better suited for mass-production, which is what we’re aiming for.  Plug-in hybrid drivetrains combine interesting advantages but having two full-size motors adds several thousand euros to the car’s price,” explained Bodin in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos.

The news comes as a big surprise because Renault has traditionally eschewed hybrid technology in favor of full-electric powerplants.  However, the drivetrain will help Renault reach its goal of lowering its fleet-wide CO2 emission rating to less than 80 grams per kilometer by the year 2020.

A second important factor that pushed Renault towards hybrid technology is that the French and Chinese governments offer financial incentives towards the purchase of a new gasoline- or diesel-electric hybrid.  Since Renault is one of the only European automakers without a hybrid in its lineup, it risks losing sales to competitors such as Peugeot and Volkswagen because its cars are not eligible for government-issued discounts.

Bodin did not reveal which model will inaugurate Renault’s hybrid drivetrain but he hinted the Initiale Paris concept that debuted in Frankfurt last month was designed to be fitted with a hybrid system.  On the other end of the automotive spectrum, engineers are testing hybrid Dacia Duster SUVs on Renault’s proving grounds outside of Paris. <![CDATA[
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