You Don't Have To Sell Your ICE Car For An EV, Thanks To Renault And R

Retrofit your Renault 4, 5 or Twingo with an electrification kit offered by Renault

Renault has long since been aiming to be the go-to manufacturer when it comes to city electric vehicles that meet the needs of the modern everyday European driver. Well now Renault has teamed up with partner R-FIT to make modernizing old Renault 4, Renault 5, and the first generation Renault Twingo easier than ever before. Beginning in September 2023, Renault will start selling the kits to retrofit and electrify Renault 5s, while the kit for the Renault 4 went on sale at the beginning of February, currently only available in France but Renault hopes to be able to offer the retrofit to other markets at a later date.

RELATED: The Renault R5 Turbo 3E Is The Ultimate Electric Hot Hatch

The three models Renault is set to offer retrofitting for will be on display at the annual classic auto show, Rétromobile. There potential customers will be able to learn more about the retrofitting and ask any questions they may have. Customers will also be able to order their own electric retrofit kit at the R-FIT stand, for a price of €11,900 or about $12,800. Renault showed a list of the technical components the kit includes like, a brushless synchronous engine, a Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, electronic battery charge gauge, a 105 V battery pack with capacity of 10.7 kWh, and most importantly a 2-year warrantee. Renault also commented that the original transmission would not need to be changed and can stay in place, this total package should give converted Renault 4s about 80 kilometers of range (50 miles), while maintaining the original weight distribution of the car. By converting old cars to modern powertrains, Renault is extending the life span of their current vehicles while reducing CO2 emissions and easing the burden on users who live in low emission zones who will now be exempt from paying fees to use gas powered vehicles in city centers.

REALTED: The 4EVER Trophy Marks The Return Of The Renault 4

Once vehicles are retrofitted the owners will receive all the necessary documentation to change the classification of the vehicle from fueled by petrol to electric power. "We are overjoyed about launching these electric retrofit kits that will enable people who love their classic cars and young people to drive in France in our iconic Renault 4, Renault 5 and Twingo, powered by electricity. In addition to the circular economy created by these new electric engine fits, the electric retrofit kits offer a solution that combines the pleasure of driving with savings and reliability without taking anything away from the style and the original designs of these well-loved timeless classics," says Hugues Portron, Director of The Originals Renault - la collection. Other carmakers have similar plans, like Ford who offers a EV crate motor dubbed the "Eluminator" and with so many classic cars on the road this may be a great way to add some modern touch to many vehicles rather than forcing everyone to scrap a car they love just to fit modern day city requirements.

Ron is a lifelong car enthusiast who grew up in his parents automotive shop. Ron is a member of the million mile club with many of those miles covering 37 different countries. In his spare time Ron is building a Subaru WRX for autocross events and rallycross races.