Renault Emblème combines batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell

In the battle to cut emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, Renault envisages an electric future involving not only batteries but also hydrogen fuel cells. The two technologies come together in the new Renault Emblème concept.

However, delivering the 90% reduction in cradle-to-grave greenhouse-gas emissions claimed by Renault for the Emblème - compared with an equivalent vehicle built today - requires more than this hybrid powertrain.

The concept uses recycled and natural materials, reused components and renewable energy in its manufacturing processes, among other measures. Once everything is calculated, the Emblème will generate just five tonnes of CO₂e (carbon dioxide equivalent) over its entire life cycle.

Batteries and hydrogen fuel cell

The Renault Emblème is an electric vehicle, with a rear-mounted 160 kW (218 hp) motor, but it draws power from two energy sources.

The first is a 40 kWh battery using NMC (nickel, manganese, cobalt) chemistry. The second is a 30 kW hydrogen fuel cell, with a maximum efficiency of 60%, supplied by a hydrogen tank with a 2.8 kg capacity.

This is not the first time Renault has explored this type of solution. In 2022, it unveiled the Scenic Vision, which used a similar powertrain.

Pairing these two systems helps address one of the major drawbacks of today’s electric cars: achieving long ranges with batteries alone requires huge, heavy packs that take a long time to charge.

Renault has not provided final figures, but says the Emblème’s relatively compact battery can already cover several hundred kilometres, which is enough for everyday use. The fuel cell contributes a further 350 km and, unlike a battery, its hydrogen tank does not require much time to refill: less than five minutes is enough.

By combining both energy sources, Renault says the Emblème can cover 1000 km as quickly as a combustion-engined car. There is no need to stop and recharge the battery, while the two planned hydrogen refuelling stops take no longer than filling a petrol or diesel tank.

Using these two technologies also helps limit the excessive weight commonly associated with electric cars. The stated 1750 kg does not make this 4.8 m-long prototype a lightweight, but it is still several hundred kilograms lighter than comparable battery-electric vehicles.

It is even around 100 kg lighter than the fully electric Scenic, despite the latter being more than 30 cm shorter.

Renault Emblème introduces a new design language

Visual appeal matters too, and Renault has wrapped the virtues of this technological solution in a sporty-looking shooting brake that still retains family-car practicality.

It also marks the debut of a new design language. This combines flowing curves with sharper, more technical lines, alongside new graphic features - such as the lighting units - inspired by Renault’s diamond-shaped emblem.

Beyond the new styling, Renault identifies efficiency as one of the foundations of this design language. This is reflected in its aerodynamic refinement, with a claimed Cₓ of 0.25, lower than the Megane’s 0.29, for example.

Public debut at the Paris Motor Show

There are no interior images yet, but the Renault Emblème will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show, which opens on 14 October. For now, there is no indication that this concept directly previews a production model.