Renault India CEO: CNG Rollout in Months, EV to Follow in 2028 as Part of Multi-Powertrain India Strategy

Unveiling its new mid-term plan under the FuturEReady 2030 strategy, Renault India intends to introduce seven new models alongside a diversified powertrain portfolio. Autocar Professional caught up with Stéphane Deblaise, CEO of Renault Group India, who shared insights on plans to add CNG, hybrid, and EV options within a short span of 18 months.

You mentioned dual-cylinder on the RGEP platform. What is the plan for CNG and when can we expect it?

I can tell you very soon. It’s a matter of months. We think that today around 22% of the market is about CNG, and we believe it is a very good solution because it is less expensive than gasoline. We will have the best solution in the market because we put the two gas tanks below the floor, allowing us to keep a full trunk for usage, which is an amazing solution for every customer. In addition, it is very useful for taxi drivers because they can put all the luggage they want. We will be the only ones to do so.

What is the calibration you are planning for the CNG powertrain? Will it be the 1-litre turbo with CVT?

I will not disclose everything today. Let’s say it is a one-litre turbo.

By when can we expect this to be introduced?

What I can tell you is that we are doing driving tests these days. We are conducting crash tests and calculations. We are well advanced in the project. As I said before, it is a matter of months, not years.

Was it a challenge to integrate this system, especially considering packaging and pedestrian safety constraints?

You are highlighting a very good advantage of our platform, the RGEP platform. It is an amazing platform in terms of roominess and the ability to fit a lot of things in a small space. As you know, Triber is the only seven-seater car under four metres. Thanks to this smart engineering, we were able to place these two gas tanks in a very safe way.

Will this dual-cylinder CNG technology also come to the Kiger?

I’ll let you imagine why I would do it on Triber and not on Kiger.

Will you consider CNG for Duster as well?

I will not disclose everything. Let’s speak about Bridger and the RGMP platform. The RGMP platform is the platform for Duster and Bridger. You have very different kinds of customers in India. They want diesel, gasoline, CNG, hybrid, and EV. These are very demanding customers. With the RGMP platform, we will deliver hybrid, CNG, electric cars, and gasoline, meaning nearly the full range of needs coming from customers.

On electric vehicles, when can we expect Renault EVs in India?

I said several months after the winter launch, which will be at the end of 2027.

The West Asia crisis has pushed EV sales in the country. Does that impact your decision-making?

You don’t take decisions depending on temporary issues. But for sure, it helps the market share of EVs increase. It helps customers understand EVs better, and it will help later to sell more EVs, even if the crisis is no longer there.

You have spoken about 90% localisation. Will that extend to EVs, especially considering battery cells are not localised in India?

As long as there are no cells in India, we cannot use Indian cells. We will begin with cells coming from another country. As soon as we can have cells in India, we will use Indian solutions. But we will not wait for that to introduce EVs in India. We don’t want to disadvantage our customers because some industrialisation has not been done yet. We have to offer the cars, and later, when localisation is possible, we will adapt.

How has the response been to the Duster so far?

It is just at the beginning. Word of mouth is very good. Everybody says the ride and handling are amazing, the turbo engine is amazing, and the design is amazing. Duster is back.

Has the West Asia crisis impacted your sourcing or supply chain?

We have put in place specific management on this topic because our supply chain is impacted. We have to avoid any issues in our supply. Until now, we have had no issues, but we are adapting. We are switching the plant to more PNG solutions than LPG, for instance. We are changing operations and adapting ourselves. Suppliers are also exposed, and we manage and help them if needed. Until now, it is okay, but we don’t know how long it will remain manageable.

Have you seen any impact on demand due to the crisis?

I cannot say clearly. It is too early. Maybe there is some impact, but it is not very clear yet. For sure, in the mindset of people, electric cars may become more relevant. This is what is happening in Europe, where people are thinking more about EVs due to such issues.