Over time, urban systems have thrived in creating conducive living environments that improve human well-being and livability. Mobility — both human and machinic — has unsurprisingly been one of the major driving factors for this cause, bridging the gap between quality of life and accessibility. During the two World Wars, major automotive manufacturers such as Ford and Benz led an era defined by machine-assisted mobility, the focus of automobile brands in the 21st century lies towards innovating mobility in line with sustainability and waning ecosystems across the world.

Renault, the historic French mobility brand, has since 1905 contributed towards developing innovations intended to improve the quality of living along similar directions. With its Renaulution Plan, launched in 2021, the company intends to restructure and shift from volume to value. A new chapter in the Renaulution plan, ‘Revolution’, further focuses on bringing a range of competitive, balanced automobiles in the hybrid and electric segments, aiming to deliver the brand’s signature innovation blended with modernity. Renault’s recent launch of the 5 E-Tech EV, introducing its first vehicle designed entirely on new technology delivered by Ampere, the first European EV and software company born from the Renault group, at the 91st Geneva International Motor Show at Palexpo, is an amplification of this notion. At the world premiere, Renault also unveiled 5 Mouvements, an ensemble of five E-tech innovations in EVs, embodying avant-garde design notions in electric automobiles, incorporated with its interactive avatar, Reno.

For the launch, the French automobile giant partnered with The Arsenale, an international brand striving towards building a better future through new mobility technologies. This celebrated the launch of 5 Mouvements, the collaboration comprised five enhanced mobility vehicles equipped with Renault’s signature hybrid technology. Each of the five vehicles in this series encompasses projects further realised in collaboration with five emerging French startups, each drawing from a natural element—earth, water, air, and snow. STIR delves into the individual innovations offered via Renault’s promising  5 E-Tech electric Series, exploring ideas of advanced electric mobility.

Reverso – Antoine Simon

A French startup led by Antoine Simon launched the first folding sailing dinghy created with the aid of his multidisciplinary team, comprising a naval architect, a structural engineer, and a sailor. Simon came up with the idea of doing away with conventional boat design and creating one that could be incorporated readily into an urban lifestyle. This idea engendered the invention of Reverso, developed using a cutting-edge design with high-end materials and craftsmanship in France. Fabricated with an inverted bow and a wide, flat bottom, Reverso is apt for both surfing and gliding. It has an assembly system that is easy to take apart, making it portable and improving its manoeuvrability. This blazing new ultra-stable, rigid-hull sailboat gets propelled by wind and measures 3.40 by 1.45 metres. Weighing 16.8kg and a running speed of 45 km/h, Reverso is an ideal green choice for high-octane adventures on the water.

Evol BMX - Olivier Le Quellec

Olivier Le Quellec, the founder and CEO of Evol Project, designed the Evol BMX, dubbed the first electric BMX. Le Quellec pivoted around the idea of a new kind of BMX by introducing a novel design equipped with an ideal alliance of vitality and high performance. Evol BMX is the outcome of a productive collaboration between Le Quellec and distinguished French architect Vincent Coste. The new design aligns the electric battery axially to the down tube of the bicycle, creating a short, mobile, and light bike. The Evol BMX weighs 13 kg, is powered by a 500-watt motor, and has a maximum speed of 45 km/h.

Searacer - Flavien Neyertz

Flavien Neyertz, a sports enthusiast and mechanic, presented the Searacer, an all-electric surfboard, as part of Renault’s arsenal of mobility innovation. The first electric jet ski is a versatile project that impresses emerging sportspeople and carves a way to stimulate an engaging future profession. The all-electric surfboard comes with high-density motor performance, owing to which its design has also won an A' Design Award and endorsement from Fabio Quartararo, a French Grand Prix motorcycle rider. The Searacer weighs 65 kg, has a top speed of 77 km/h, and can be used for up to 2 hours at a time. It offers unparalleled performance with its versatility and is applicable for use by both athletes and novices.

Moonbike - Nicolas Muron

Nicolas Muron’s Moonbike, touted to be a revolutionary electric snow scooter, takes inspiration from its lunar nomenclature and promises a fun and memorable winter experience for tourists. Muron devised the snow scooter intending to facilitate a means of recreation to explore the beauty and silence of the mountains. Owing to the absence of a chain or belt system, Moonbike ensures that no noise is generated except for the soft whistling sound heard on electric vehicles. In addition to these features, it also has a minimalist propulsion system with a reverse gear. Furthermore, it claims to require little maintenance and is lightweight and manoeuvrable, weighing around 90 kg and travelling at a maximum speed of 40 km/h, aiming to provide an effortless ride in the snow.

Plume foil – Etienne Mombereau

Plume foil is a one-of-its-kind electric foil, designed by engineer, entrepreneur, and founder of WhimsiTech, Etienne Mombereau. Deriving inspiration from other beacons in electric mobility, Mombereau came up with the novel iteration of an electric foil, which requires the least drag in the water to move without noise. Plume foil is the outcome of 5 years of R&D carried out in France that resulted in a distinguished electric foil with an immaculate balance and quality at a competitive price. The design and high performance of Plume Foil ensures a unique experience for its users, weighing less than 30 kg with a maximum travel speed of 35 km/h.

At the automotive event, Renault also showcased an additional selection of exciting Renault 5 merchandise - all designed in collaboration with French brands and dressed in the collection’s signature bright yellow - including a Bonzini foosball table, a Shapers Club surfboard, a Saint James woollen jumper, and a Plume electric scooter.

(Text by Sameeksha Bahuguna, intern at STIRworld)