Renault's CEO urges Europe to focus on making electric cars cheaper: "They are too expensive for people"

The new CEO of the Renault Group, as expected, has made an appearance at the Munich Motor Show 2025. This important event has been the chosen stage for the Renault brand to publicly present significant innovations such as the new Renault Clio 2026. François Provost, who has taken over from Luca de Meo at the helm of this major automotive conglomerate, took the opportunity to analyze the complicated situation facing the European automotive industry. And the electric car is in the spotlight.

Provost, who met with leading specialized media gathered in Munich, shared his particular view on the current situation of the Renault Group and one of the hot topics in the sector, the ban on the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by 2035. In other words, where we stand in the transition to sustainable mobility and, more specifically, electric mobility.

The new CEO of the Renault Group will follow the path set by Luca de Meo

For those expecting Provost to make a significant shift in the direction the company is taking, he has cleared any doubts making it clear that he will be a continuationist: "I am a man of continuity. Our main task is to drive the Renaulution plan, build a solid product range in Europe and then renew it. Of course, we must be prepared to react if internal factors change, but we have the Ampere and Horse divisions to help us with that".

When asked about the rise of Chinese cars in the European market, Provost highlighted the internal changes being driven at Renault to reduce development time: "We are also capable of creating very robust and emotional designs, and we have proven it. We are better than our competitors, especially the Chinese. We are also striving to improve customer interaction".

Regarding the fateful date when the thermal car will supposedly be "buried" in Europe, the top leader of the French manufacturer wanted to downplay it: "We should not focus on 2035, even though it is a good hook for headlines".

Renault urges Europe to work on making electric cars cheaper

But the truly important aspect of this press conference relates to the message Provost has sent to European lawmakers, highlighting the need to work together to reduce the costs of electric cars as they are still too expensive today.

"The reality is that the prices of electric cars are currently too high for people. We must make it clear that the industrial logic in Europe is wrong. What is needed is less regulation, which would allow car prices to be more affordable. The technological neutrality driving electric vehicles should be the way forward," emphasized the new CEO of the Renault Group.

The manufacturer will focus on cost reduction. Provost assures that later, along with other industry leaders, he will address European authorities to clarify that the task of stimulating the electric car market cannot fall solely on manufacturers.