The Renault 5 E-Tech electric was the UK’s best-selling EV in April 2026, according to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) registration data, and Renault has used the model’s first sales anniversary to add a one-pedal driving function as standard on techno+ trim and above. The supermini retails from £21,495 ($29,233) on-the-road after the Electric Car Grant, down from a £22,995 launch price in early 2025. Full details are available on the Renault UK product page.
Highlights
- Renault 5 E-Tech topped SMMT EV registrations in April 2026, one year after UK deliveries began
- Renault UK’s EV mix reached 49% of all passenger car registrations in April, spanning the R5, R4, Megane and Scenic
- Online EV enquiries on renault.co.uk rose 42% since late February, coinciding with a sustained spike in oil prices
- One-pedal driving now standard on techno+ and above; entry price held at £21,495 ($29,233) after Electric Car Grant
SMMT Registrations and EV Demand Surge
Renault attributes the April result to a sharp rise in EV interest tied to higher oil prices since late February. The company reports online enquiries up 42 percent on its UK site over the prior two-month baseline, with conversions following through to registrations. Combined sales of the Renault 5, Renault 4, Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech accounted for more than 49 percent of Renault UK’s passenger car registrations in April.
The £650-per-year average fuel savings figure cited in the announcement is a Renault claim and has not been independently verified.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, said: “Interest in electric vehicles has undergone a seismic shift upwards following the spike in oil prices at the end of February. Compared to January and early February, EV enquiries on our website have grown by 42%. Already that is translating to sales, with our EVs accounting for just under 50% of our registrations in April, when most notably Renault 5 was Britain’s best-selling EV. With today’s announcement, it is an even more compelling proposition.
“In turbulent times, more and more people are realising the benefits of switching to electric. With a wider choice of more efficient, more desirable and more affordable electric cars than ever before, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.
“Not only are EVs are fun to drive, they are also cheaper to fuel than petrol equivalents, by an average of £650 a year for most motorists at today’s prices. With Government grants also helping to lower upfront purchase costs, as well as a rapidly expanding charging network, EV ownership is more compelling than ever.”
One-Pedal Driving Details
The new one-pedal function adds a fourth level of regenerative braking to the R5, allowing drivers to slow and bring the vehicle to a complete stop using only the accelerator pedal. The system was first deployed on the Renault 4 E-Tech and is positioned by Renault for stop-start traffic and urban driving. One-pedal modes are now standard across most BEV lineups, including those from GM, Tesla, Hyundai-Kia, and Stellantis brands.
Additional updates include a new driver attention alert system that uses an interior camera to detect signs of fatigue or distraction, and “PoweR5” decals as a personalization option for the rear wings. The connected services package provides up to 2GB of data per month for in-car apps, sufficient for roughly 40 hours of audio streaming, with availability tied to contract type.
Pricing, Range and Charging
The R5 E-Tech is offered in three trim levels with two powertrains. Per Renault, the higher-capacity version delivers up to 252 miles of WLTP range and supports DC charging from 15 to 80 percent in approximately 30 minutes. WLTP figures are not directly comparable to EPA estimates and typically run higher; US-market EPA equivalents would likely be lower.
Pricing has moved meaningfully since the R5 launch in early 2025, when the entry trim opened at £22,995. The current £21,495 starting price reflects a £1,500 reduction tied to the UK Electric Car Grant (ECG), bringing the effective entry point about 6.5 percent below the original on-the-road price. Eligibility for the full ECG amount is subject to government criteria.
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