New Renault Megane E-Tech PHEV on sale from £29,495

The Renault Megane E-Tech plug-in hybrid hatchback is available to order in the UK now, with prices starting from £29,495. First deliveries will arrive in September, with the Megane rivalling other plug-in family hatchbacks such as the Skoda Octavia iV and the new Peugeot 308 PHEV.

As part of the Megane E-Tech’s launch, Renault has also dropped all non-hybrid petrol and diesel models from the Megane’s line-up, leaving only the plug-in hybrid powertrain in both the hatchback and estate’s line-ups.

Megane E-Tech buyers have the choice of two specifications: Iconic and R.S. Line. The former comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, chrome trim and privacy glass. There’s also a host of safety equipment, which includes lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high-beam.

Inside, there’s a leather steering wheel, automatic dual-zone climate control, a customisable ambient lighting system, brushed aluminium trim and black upholstery. Technology-wise, there’s a 10-inch digital gauge cluster and a seven-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

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Prices for the sporty Megane E-Tech R.S. Line start from £31,495. Upgrades over the Iconic model include 17-inch alloy wheels, more aggressive front and rear bumpers, a rear-view camera and a hands-free parking function. Active emergency braking is also standard.

The cabin gets a lift, too, with a dedicated R.S. Line steering wheel, a new gear-lever gaiter and unique trim for the dashboard. There’s also a pair of R.S. Line-branded sports seats, while the infotainment system is upgraded with a larger 9.2-inch unit.

The Megane E-Tech’s plug-in hybrid powertrain comprises a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a 9.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 64bhp electric motor. Combined, the system produces 158bhp and 360Nm of torque, giving the Megane E-Tech a 0-62mph time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 109mph.

More importantly, Renault says the powertrain offers fuel economy of up to 235.4mpg on the WLTP combined cycle, with CO2 emissions as low as 28g/km. The battery also allow an official electric-only range of 30 miles.

When connected to a three-pin socket, the battery pack can be fully recharged in four hours and 15 minutes – and Renault will guarantee the cell for eight years or 100,000 miles.

As an added bonus, the E-Tech’s low CO2 emissions mean that business users will qualify for a benefit-in-kind tax rate of 11 per cent, and pay zero road tax in their first year of ownership.

Click here for our list of the best plug-in hybrids