The Renault Captur E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid SUV: The Complete Guide For The UK

Renault Captur E-Tech Plug-In Hybrid
Price: £31,295
Type of electric vehicle: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body type: SUV
Battery size: 9.8 kWh
Electric range (WLTP): 29 - 31 miles
Tailpipe emissions: 34g (CO2/km)


Overview


Groupe Renault (Renault Group/ Renault S.A.), is a leading player in the global automotive sector. The company was established in 1899 and has over the course of its history, manufactured varied vehicles, to include: trucks, tractors, buses and even tanks! Renault has been part of the global Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance since 1999 (previously, Renault-Nissan Alliance). The partnership makes the partnership the 3rd largest automotive group in the world after Volkswagen and Toyota.

Renault is headquartered in France and the French state owns a 15% stake in the company. The company manufacturers across a number of global locations, to include: Romania, Morocco, Türkiye, Spain, South Korea, Argentina and others! Renault has also been involved with motor sport, both, Formula 1 and Formula E. Renault offers both, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) for passenger cars and commercial electric vehicles. The portfolio includes:



Electric Cars: The Basics


For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:


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The Renault Captur PHEV SUV


The Renault Captur compact SUV was launched in 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show. The concept version was unveiled in 2011. The SUV is now in its second generation. The Captur is also available as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

If you are not limited by the notion ‘that only premium brands can fit your lifestyle’, then the Renault Captur plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is worth considering for its ‘value proposition’. Though the compact family SUV does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant (PiCG), the relatively more affordable retail price, along with the lower cost of emission-free electric driving, can result in decent financial savings for families and companies.

For company-car drivers, there is the added benefit of the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK-10%) tax rate, given the lower tailpipe emissions (34g CO2/km) from the PHEV, compared to the conventional combustion engine variant (132g CO2/km).

The PHEV has a 9.8 kWh onboard EV battery and a WLTP certified electric range up to 31 miles. Both are typical of this type of plug-in hybrid electric car. However, expect the real-world electric range to be closer to 26 miles. The EV range is impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, speed, load, regenerative braking, road condition, weather, wheel size and a lot more.

Do keep in mind that a vast number of trips in the UK are below 10 miles, and a 31 miles pure electric driving range is sufficient for day-to-day commutes. Moreover, the majority of motorists in the UK, drive no more than 30 miles a day.

The Renault PHEV pairs a 1.6-litre (4-cylinder) petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by an onboard EV battery. The automotive manufacturer claims a fuel economy up to 188.3 mpg for the electric vehicle (EV). Of course the real-world fuel economy will depend on a number of factors, but none as influential as using the e-mode.

Bottom-line, to increase the fuel economy of the electric vehicle and lower the driving costs, the PHEV should be driven as much as possible on the e-mode. It is also far cheaper to drive on electric mode, compared to using the combustion engine.

Depending on where and when the EV is charged, and the cost of charging, driving an electric car will cost between 5 pence to 10 pence per mile. Of course, driving on e-mode has the added benefit of a smoother and quieter drive.

Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. We at e-zoomed recommend the use of a dedicated EV charging station, like easee to charge the EV. We do not encourage the use of a domestic 3-PIN plug.

The EV incorporates a 3.7 kW AC onboard charger and is not capable of DC charging. It can be fully charged in 3 hours. The manufacturer offers a 8 years or 100,000 miles warranty.

The performance of the electric SUV will not set the heart racing, but it does the job! The front-wheel drive Renault Captur E-Tech plug-in hybrid can achieve 0-62 mph in 10.1 seconds, with a top speed of 107 mph.

The hybrid drivetrain delivers a maximum power of 160 HP (torque: 205 Nm), sufficient for city and motorway driving. Do keep in mind that the additional weight of the onboard EV battery does impact the overall performance of the electric vehicle (EV Kerb weight: 1,564 kg).

The EV has a decent level of standard features and equipment, to include: lane departure warning, lane keep assist, cruise control, rear view camera, eco mode, hands free keycard with keyless entry etc. The electric SUV has been awarded a Five-Star NCAP safety rating. The boot space has been impacted by the placement of the EV battery, nevertheless, the EV offers a cargo volume up to 261 L.

Bottom-line, the Renault Captur plug-in hybrid SUV has much to offer, for those seeking ‘value for money’, in an environmentally-friendly electric vehicle. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet. 

You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!



PROS CONS
Perfect for city drivingPerformance will not set the heart racing
Affordable PHEV Alternatives have better electric range
Decent level of standard equipmentSome cheap materials

Gallery


The Renault Captur PHEV SUV (credit: Renault)


At A Glance
EV Type:Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Body Type:SUV (Compact)
Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG):Not Available
Engines:Petrol-Electric
Available In UK:Yes

Variants (1 Option)
Renault Captur E-TECH plug-in hybrid 160 Auto (from £31,295)

EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:Available in one battery size: 9.8 kWh
Charging:DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs)
Charge Port:Type 2
EV Cable Type: Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:34g (CO2/km)
EV Battery Warranty:8 years or 100,000 miles

Average Cost Of Residential Charging
Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh £1.27
Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh£1.67
Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh£1.73
Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh£1.89
Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh£2.03
  • Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
  • Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.

Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
  • Note 1: SoC: state of charge

Dimensions
Height (mm):1576
Width (mm):2003
Length (mm):4227
Wheelbase (mm):2639
Turning Circle (m):11.1
Boot capacity (L):261

E-TECH Plug-In Hybrid 160 Auto
EV Battery Capacity:9.8 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):29 – 31 miles
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):N/A
Fuel Consumption (MPG):188.3
Charging: DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.7 kW AC (0% – 100%: 3 hrs)
Top Speed:107 mph
0-62 mph:10.1 seconds
Drive: Front-wheel drive (FWD)
Electric Motor (kW):N/A
Max Power (HP):160
Torque (Nm): 205
Transmission:Automatic
Seats:5
Doors:5
Kerb Weight (kg):1,564
Colours:15
NCAP Safety Rating:Five-Star

While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.


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Author

Ashvin Suri

Ashvin has been involved with the renewables, energy efficiency and infrastructure sectors since 2006. He is passionate about the transition to a low-carbon economy and electric transportation. Ashvin commenced his career in 1994, working with US investment banks in New York. Post his MBA from the London Business School (1996-1998), he continued to work in investment banking at Flemings (London) and JPMorgan (London). His roles included corporate finance advisory, M&A and capital raising. He has been involved across diverse industry sectors, to include engineering, aerospace, oil & gas, airports and automotive across Asia and Europe. In 2010, he co-founded a solar development platform, for large scale ground and roof solar projects to include, the UK, Italy, Germany and France. He has also advised on various renewable energy (wind and solar) utility scale projects working with global institutional investors and independent power producers (IPP’s) in the renewable energy sector. He has also advised in key international markets like India, to include advising large-scale industrial and automotive group in India. Ashvin has also advised Indian Energy, an IPP backed by Guggenheim (a US$ 165 billion fund). He has also advised a US$ 2 billion, Singapore based group. Ashvin has also worked in the real estate and infrastructure sector, to including working with the Matrix Group (a US$ 4 billion property group in the UK) to launch one of the first few institutional real estate funds for the Indian real estate market. The fund was successfully launched with significant institutional support from the UK/ European markets. He has also advised on water infrastructure, to include advising a Swedish clean technology company in the water sector. He has also been involved with a number of early stage ventures.

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