French automaker Renault Group has confirmed it has begun operations at its new dedicated electric vehicle (EV) research and development (R&D) centre in China, the company’s CEO Luca de Meo told local reporters.

Luca de Meo confirmed that Renault’s Advanced China Development Center, located in Shanghai, currently employs around 150 staff and is focused on developing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) for the European market. He revealed that one of the projects the facility is currently working on is the Twingo E-Tech prototype, which is scheduled to be launched in 2026 priced at under EUR20,000 ($20,600).

Luca de Meo said that among the reasons for setting up an R&D centre in China were the local EV industry’s speed of innovation, cost-efficiency and advanced technologies, underscoring the importance of collaboration between China’s EV supply chain and European automakers.  He said he aims to incorporate these advantages into Renault Group's future development of global products, including those for the European market, to help improve its overall competitiveness.

Renault’s CEO revealed that the new R&D centre has teams dedicated to engineering, procurement and accounting, focused on developing low-cost, hi-tech and responsive supply chains for its future EVs. He confirmed the company had strengthened its ties with Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Limited (CATL), the country’s largest EV battery manufacturer.

Luca De Meo told local reporters: "When I first arrived at the company four years ago, we were developing vehicles in 48 to 60 months. Now we are looking to develop an EV in one-third of this time. The Twingo, for example, is expected to be developed in less than two years."