Renault has declined to participate in the upcoming winter edition of Motor's renowned electric car range test, despite having won the summer test with its Scenic model.
The Norwegian test, celebrated for its rigorous evaluation of electric cars under real-world conditions, has raised eyebrows among organizers following Renault's unexpected decision.
A Summer Champion Bows Out
The Renault Scenic claimed victory in the summer test with an impressive range of 560 kilometers. It was scheduled to defend its title in the winter test, where harsher conditions challenge a car’s energy efficiency and charging capacity.
However, Renault’s Norwegian importer, RN Nordic, cited restructuring as the reason for withdrawing. They explained that the ongoing transition leaves them unable to provide test vehicles until at least April.
This explanation has been met with skepticism.
Motor journalist Öyvind A. Monn-Iversen speculates that Renault may be avoiding the test to shield the Scenic from potential criticism.
“We see only one reason Renault is not participating in the winter test: They don’t believe the Scenic is competitive when temperatures drop, and demands for energy efficiency and charging capacity increase,” Monn-Iversen told Motor magazine.
RN Nordic Responds
RN Nordic, which recently took over Renault operations in Norway and Denmark, rejected these claims, maintaining that their absence is purely logistical.
“Since we do not have any cars in the new company and can only start car orders on February 1st, the situation is simply that we do not have any press cars (or any other cars for that matter),” RN Nordic stated.
The Motor and NAF (Norwegian Automobile Federation) range test is one of the most respected evaluations of electric cars worldwide. Its results heavily influence consumer perceptions, particularly in Norway, where electric vehicles dominate the market.
The test’s ability to measure real-world range performance under extreme conditions has spotlighted brands in the past. For example, a now-defunct car company once impressed testers by achieving a range that closely matched its official rating.
