Renault has announced its goal to end selling simple internal combustion engine vehicles in Europe by 2030, saying the company has plans to develop an electric car platform alongside Google.

In its new multiyear strategic plan, Renault targeted close to a 23% increase is sales by the year 2030.

"By 2030, the brand is aiming for... 100% electrified sales in Europe and 50% outside Europe," the company said, which includes hybrid vehicles.

Around 40% of the Renault vehicles sold in Europe last year were still equipped with purely fossil fuel-powered engines.

It also intends to shift towards electric mobility at its budget brand Dacia by 2030, expanding the number of electric vehicles in its range to four.

Renault's strategy contrasts that of its competitor, Stellantis, which had a 22-billion-euro write-down of its electric vehicle (EV) operations after saying it had misjudged buyers' willingness to shift to cleaner vehicles.

Renault chief executive Francois Provost said the carmaker wants "to design and produce in Europe products that are best‑in‑class in terms of desirability, technology and competitiveness".

The group expects to release 22 new models in Europe, including 16 electric ones, and 14 models on international markets.

Renault also has plans to develop its new electric car platform in partnership with Google.

"It will also be the first carOS co-developed with the partner Google, based on Android," the company said.

Renault currently makes less money on EVs than those with fossil fuel-powered engines. Its operating margin fell from 7.6% in 2024 to 6.3% last year and is set to fall further to 5.5% next year.

AFP