Renault supports EU content rules, but cautions against making the targets unachievable for continental automakers. By Stewart Burnett
Renault has voiced its support for France’s push for electric vehicles (EVs) sold in Europe to contain more locally sourced components, but warned Brussels against setting thresholds that prove impossible to achieve. In an interview with Bloomberg, Chief Strategy Officer Josep Maria Recasens advocated for a 60% local-content rule applied across all passenger vehicle types rather than President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed 75% requirement exclusively targeting EVs.
Batteries remain the most expensive EV component and are still predominantly manufactured outside Europe. “If you don’t have a local battery, it might be difficult to reach 60% of local content due to the weight of the battery,” Recasens stated. “But if you consider the entire fleet, it becomes achievable.”
Renault’s stance parallels French President Emmanuel Macron’s broader European preference campaign launched during his China visit earlier in December. The approach also serves as a counterpoint to German and Italian demands to dilute the 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine car sales. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged in October to oppose the deadline, seeking allowances for plug-in hybrids and range extenders beyond 2035.
France previously defended the original targets alongside Spain, before shifting position amid domestic pressure over potential factory closures. Recasens called for the European Commission to establish a commodity pool on behalf of continental automakers to secure materials due to ongoing concerns over China’s dominance in rare earth supplies.
Recasens also requested exceptions to the 2035 ban for commercial vehicles and extending the emissions credit banking mechanism from three to five years. BMW also noted earlier in December that Chinese automakers shipping plug-in hybrids to Europe face no additional tariffs, whereas EV duties can reach north of 40% for some OEMs.
“The Chinese have already written us off,” Recasens said with regard to European OEMs. “They believe we won’t be able to transform ourselves. So this motivates me to prove that the old world can transform itself.”
