Renault Mégane E-Tech is available to order again

Now there seems to be some relief, at least for the new, all-electric Mégane E-Tech. The electric car, which will be available in Germany from June, can now be ordered again. The stop has not yet been lifted for all other Renault and Dacia models.

The Mégane E-Tech is manufactured at the Renault plant in Douai, France. Due to a lack of computer chips and wiring harnesses - most of which come from war-torn Ukraine - production has been halted for the time being until 25 April and the approximately 2,300 employees have been put on short-time work. This was reported by the French trade newspaper "Automobile Propre". Production is also currently at a standstill at the Renault plant in Cleon. The electric motors for the Mégane E-Tech are built there.

Renault marketing director Ralf Benecke had explained the order stop at the end of March with a "temporary order pause for all EV and PHEV vehicles". The internal information to dealers would have been given in advance to still be able to conclude ongoing sales talks. Of course, the goal would be to clarify the availabilities as quickly as possible and then restart with new visibility. If the order freeze lasts even longer, things could get tight, especially for German customers who still want to benefit from the eco-rebate. To receive the full bonus, the vehicle must be registered this year. Peugeot and Hyundai, on the other hand, have already given delivery guarantees for their e-models.

It is still unclear what the subsidy regime will look like after the eco-rebate expires in 2023. However, the subsidy for plug-in hybrids will probably be history. Federal Minister of Economics Habeck had already stated that these were already "marketable" and would therefore no longer need sales support. The premium for e-cars will probably drop to 4,000 euros (currently: 6,000 euros). Manufacturers, therefore, fear a slowdown in market growth, which could also lead to the EU's CO2 fleet targets not being met.