In fifteen years, the electric vehicle has moved from a technological bet to an industrial reality and commercial success. For Renault Group, this shift began in France, and an emblematic milestone has now been reached with the millionth vehicle—a figure that exceeds numbers alone to illustrate a profound transformation on a national scale.
François Provost, CEO of Renault Group, stated the milestone of one million electric vehicles produced by Renault Group in France is above all a source of collective pride: pride in the teams and suppliers who build them, the customers who choose them, and a Group that has made a long-term commitment to France.
He noted that since 2021, the company has invested €13 billion to build the electric vehicle value chain across its French operations, and plans to invest a further €13 billion under its mid-term futuREady plan, provided the right conditions are in place.
Pioneering Industrial Commitment
The million-EV milestone results from a pioneering commitment. Since 2010, with models such as ZOE and Kangoo ZE, Renault Group chose to invest heavily in electric vehicles, convinced of their central role in the future of mobility.
The Group also developed a range of electric light commercial vehicles alongside Kangoo E-Tech electric, including the Trafic Van E-Tech electric—the first native electric LCV—and Master E-Tech electric, produced at the Maubeuge, Sandouville, and Batilly plants.
Renault Group will become the first European carmaker to introduce a Software Defined Vehicle in the LCV segment with the launch of the New Trafic E-Tech electric at the end of 2026.
By anchoring its transformation on national territory, the Group demonstrates it is possible to design, produce, and market competitive electric vehicles accessible from France while contributing to their democratization.
This change is accompanied by a deep renewal of skills, with 53,000 employees trained in future jobs through Reknow University, covering electrification, battery technologies, artificial intelligence, and circular economy.
Electricity Hub Reaches 600,000 Units
In Douai, at the heart of the industrial North, this momentum materialises with the 600,000th electric car produced by the Electricity hub in Douai and Maubeuge. In five years, this industrial hub has become the leading European centre for electric vehicle production, capable of meeting the challenges of volume, competitiveness, and innovation.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric embodies this step. Accessible from €18,810, popular, and made in France, it symbolises a new generation of vehicles designed to concretely support EV democratization.
Industrial results are tangible: the milestone of 100,000 Renault 5 units was passed at the end of 2025, and the site is on track to exceed 200,000 units since launch this year. The electric adventure began with Kangoo ZE in Maubeuge in 2011, and the site now also builds the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, a segment leader in France.
Job Creation and Multi-Brand Production
Electricity stands out for its social dynamics, with 700 permanent jobs created between 2022 and 2025, plus 300 additional positions being recruited by 2027 to support rapidly growing activity. In Douai, acceleration has brought a half-time night shift and the hiring of 550 temporary workers since last October, with the site increasing its pace next September to meet growing demand.
The northern hub also asserts its multi-brand dimension: in addition to Renault and Alpine, Electricity’s sites now produce vehicles for Nissan and Mitsubishi and will soon host production for Ford, strengthening its strategic role in the European automotive industry.
Industrial Transition Serving Communities
Beyond industrial performance, this success carries major economic and social stakes. Producing electric vehicles in France means preserving jobs, supporting industrial basins, and maintaining strategic know-how. Renault Group relies on the excellence of its French engineering teams, which design vehicles faster while mastering key technologies and reducing costs. Behind every vehicle are also 35,000 indirect jobs within the supplier network, supporting an entire industrial ecosystem.
Electric vehicles offer customers a concrete answer, being less dependent on fuel price variations. Owners can “fill up” at home for just over 8 euros and travel 100 kilometres for less than 3 euros, offering better control of the mobility budget.
Value and Sovereignty Strategy
In an increasingly competitive global market, Renault Group champions a value-based approach. Producing in France means choosing vehicles designed with high standards of quality, innovation, and responsibility while guaranteeing local economic benefits.
It is also a strategic issue: in the face of international competition positioned on low prices, producing in France and consuming locally manufactured vehicles supports a sovereign, innovative, and sustainable industry. The million-EV milestone and the 600,000 units produced by Electricity illustrate this ambition—turning the electric transition into a genuine industrial opportunity for France and the French.