Renault backs MHEV, HEV, BEV strategy

RENAULT has stood by its current lack of plug-in hybrids within its electrified Australian model line-up, which consists of internal combustion, mild hybrid, full hybrid and battery electric products. 

The French brand’s global leadership has been publicly cynical of plug-in hybrids and offers just one anywhere in the world – a performance variant of the Rafale coupe-style SUV – which is not sold in Australia. 

However, Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey did not rule out the possibility of bringing a plug-in hybrid model Down Under in the future. 

“Yeah, look, we'll never rule anything out. The reality is, there is a vast range of vehicles we can access,” he said while speaking to Australian media at the local launch of the Renault Symbioz small SUV. 

“It's just a matter of making sure that they're available to us first, first and foremost, and then, does it comply with the needs of the Australian market? Does it offer the right value equation? Is it the right specification, and also is the timing right?”

With 34,937 plug-in hybrids sold – representing a nearly 10.6 per cent market share – the second quarter of this year saw nearly triple the number of PHEV sales compared with the same period of 2025 according to the Australian Automobile Association’s Electric Vehicle Index.

However, Australian PHEV sales are still some way off matching BEV deliveries of 69,414 units in the second quarter of 2026, full hybrids (57,919 sales) and internal combustion vehicles (167,840).

As has been the case with BEVs, plug-in hybrid vehicle sales have spiked recently, largely due to the rise in fuel prices and energy security concerns caused by US-Israeli srikes on Iran.

With four BEV models – including the Scenic, Megane, Kangoo, and Master E-Tech – and mild hybrids – with the Arkana and the MHEV Duster and Symbioz variants – in its line-up, along with the HEV variants of the Symbioz becoming its first full hybrid offerings, Renault’s product portfolio has had the opportunity to capitalise on the electrified vehicle boom, but not the PHEV boom in Australia.

When asked if this was a problem for Renault, Mr Sealey said the brand was happy with its current product mix.

“We're very happy with the line-up we've got. To be fair, very happy with having a mix of ICE, mild hybrid, hybrid, and full electrification. And given the size of our brand, you don't want it too complex either.” 

As for Renault’s latest product offering, time will tell exactly how the mild hybrid and hybrid Symbioz line-up will perform in Australia, although Mr Sealey believes it could “become the biggest-selling Renault passenger car in this market”.

However, its battery electric models are performing well in the sales charts relative to the rest of its model line-up.

Currently the Megane E-Tech small SUV leads Renault’s purely electric sales charge, with 230 deliveries in Australia so far this year as of the end of July. This currently makes it Renault’s third best-selling non-van model and its fifth best-selling model overall.

Meanwhile, 82 examples of the mid-size Scenic E-Tech have been delivered in Australia so far in 2026 after order books for the model opened late last year. 

While not matching its Megane E-Tech stablemate when it comes to year-to-date sales figures, the Scenic performed well relative to the Renault model range during July.

With 25 units reaching Aussie homes, it was the brand’s second best-selling car model and the fourth-best selling Renault model outright during the month. 

The Symbioz is the latest product launched for Renault’s local line-up, and forms part of a slew of six models coming to Australia from the brand within an 18-month window announced last year.