It’s been a year since the Renault 5 E-Tech hit UK roads, and Renault is marking the milestone with a key update: one-pedal driving.
If you’ve driven an EV that supports it, you’ll know the appeal. Lift off the accelerator, and the car slows itself down using regenerative braking – often enough that you barely touch the brake pedal in everyday driving.
But here’s the catch: existing Renault 5 owners miss out.
Not available as an update
The new one-pedal mode is only available on factory-built cars fitted with the more powerful 148bhp motor, and only in Techno+ trim or higher.
There’s no over-the-air update to bring the feature to earlier models, which may frustrate drivers who were hoping for a software unlock.
What one-pedal driving actually does
Renault has added this as a fourth level of regenerative braking. In practice, it means:
- Stronger deceleration when you lift off the accelerator
- Increased energy recovery to boost efficiency
- Less reliance on the brake pedal in stop-start driving
It’s already available on other Renault EVs, including the Megane E-Tech, Scenic E-Tech and the upcoming Renault 4, so its absence on the original R5 was noticeable.
Other updates to the Renault 5
Alongside one-pedal driving, Renault has made a couple of smaller tweaks:
- Optional ‘PowerR5’ decals for added visual flair
- A new driver attention monitoring system using an interior camera to detect fatigue or distraction
These updates focus on both style and safety, keeping the R5 competitive in a fast-moving EV market.
Still one of the UK’s most popular EVs
Despite the limited rollout of new features, the Renault 5 continues to perform strongly. According to SMMT data, it was the UK’s best-selling electric car in April – a key month following the latest registration plate change.
Pricing remains unchanged, starting from £21,495 with the Government’s Electric Car Grant included, helping it stay one of the more accessible EV options on sale.