By 2007, Renault will be one of the few carmakers to propose a twin biofuel offer, with Renault Trafic and Renault Master running on B30 biodiesel and Megane on E85 bioethanol. Meanwhile, Renault conducts its research into fuel cell and reformer technology within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

As part of "Renault Commitment 2009", Renault has firmly committed to cutting its vehicles' CO2 emissions in order to help reduce the greenhouse effect. To this end Renault has set itself three major targets:

- Become one of the world's top three carmakers in terms of CO2 efficiency. Through its "120/140" plan, Renault aims to be selling one million vehicles by 2008 that emit less than 140g of CO2 per kilometre, with one-third of those emitting less than 120g.

- Offer a range of vehicles running on biofuels. By 2009, 50 per cent of Renault petrol-engine vehicles marketed in Europe will be able to operate on blends of petrol and ethanol. Furthermore, all the brand's diesel-engined vehicles will, within the same timeframe, be able to run on fuel that is 30 per cent biodiesel.

- Supply a wide range of alternative technologies. Within the framework of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, Renault is preparing a broad selection of alternative technologies such as hybrid and electric vehicles and fuel cells. Under the terms of its 2009 commitment plan, Renault will test in France vehicles powered by fuel cells based on advanced Alliance technologies.


Renault on the low fuel consumption / low CO2 emissions podium

In 1993 a 93hp 1.9DT Renault 19 could cover the 748km between Paris and Montpellier with an average fuel consumption of 6.5 litres/100km (and CO2 emissions of 172g/Km). By 2000, a 1.9 dTi 100hp Renault Megane could drive its occupants the 960km from Paris to Monaco for fuel consumption of 5.2 litres/100km, equivalent to CO2 emissions of 138 g/Km).

In comparison, a full tank will today take a 1.5 dCi 105hp Megane all the way from Paris to Venice - a distance of 1,110km - with fuel consumption of just 4.5 litres/100km and CO2 emissions of 120g/km). This example illustrates the enormous progress Renault has achieved in the course of the past 20 years in reducing the fuel consumption of its vehicles.

Its latest petrol engine, the 100 TCE, is a perfect example of the vast expertise the company has accumulated. Delivering the 100hp output of a 1.4-litre engine and the 145Nm of torque associated with a 1.6-litre engine, this 1.2-litre powerplant enables Modus and Clio to record combined cycle fuel consumption of 5.9 litres/100km (emissions 140g/km). Renault displays the same degree of expertise when it comes to diesel engines. Powered by the 1.5 dCi 105hp engine equipped with a particulate filter, Clio emits just 126g of CO2 per kilometre, while Megane was one of Europe's leading models in terms of CO2 emissions in 2005. In Renault Laguna, the 2.0 dCi 175hp engine with particulate filter is acknowledged for its remarkably balanced trade-off between performance and fuel efficiency which gives combined cycle fuel consumption of 6.0 litres/100km.

The optimization of conventional petrol and diesel powerplants remains one of the most economical ways of controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Renault is today one of the three most fuel- and CO2 emissionefficient carmakers. In 2005 one Renault vehicle sold in Europe out of five emitted less than 120g/km of CO2.


Renault, one of the few carmakers to propose a double biofuel offer in Europe

By 2007 Renault will be one of the few carmakers to offer its European customers a double biofuel deal: Trafic and Master will both run on B30 biodiesel, while Megane will use ethanol E85. By the end of 2006 Trafic will be marketed with Euro4-compliant 84hp and 90hp 2.0 dCi B30 engines and Master will be available with a Euro4-compliant 100hp and 120hp 2.5dCi B30 powerplant.

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