Daily EV news · France · 29 October 2026
EV Charging
Voltix opens France's first heavy-duty MCS charging hub with Ekoenergetyka technology
Voltix, a VINCI Concessions subsidiary, has launched a public charging hub for electric heavy-duty vehicles in Vierzon, France, at the intersection of the A20, A71 and A85 motorways. The site uses Ekoenergetyka's Axon Charger technology supporting Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard, enabling electric trucks to recharge in approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The hub features four charging points, each with both CCS and MCS connectors delivering up to 1.5 megawatts of power via a split configuration of four Axon Sat MCS satellites and four Axon Side DLBS units.
Why it matters
This marks the first MCS enabled heavy-duty charging hub in France, demonstrating commercial deployment of the new megawatt charging standard for freight corridors. The project signals growing infrastructure investment for long-distance electric truck operations, with VINCI Concessions entering the heavy-duty charging market through its Voltix subsidiary.
Electric Vehicles
Renault 5 Electric battery upgrade costs €3,500 for 12 kWh and 30 kW power boost
Renault's optimised R5 range, announced 25 August 2026, offers 315 km WLTP with a 40 kWh battery or 430 km with 52 kWh. The larger battery option adds €3,500 across Evolution and Techno trims (€28,490 to €31,990 and €30,490 to €33,990 respectively, October 2026 prices before subsidies). The upgrade bundles 12 kWh extra capacity with a power increase from 90 kW (120 hp) to 110 kW (150 hp), meaning buyers pay for both range and performance.
Why it matters
The bundled pricing model complicates fleet and charge infrastructure planning, as operators must assess whether customers value the 115 km range gain enough to justify higher upfront costs and potentially different charging profiles. The €3,500 premium per vehicle influences total cost of ownership calculations for CPOs targeting urban versus mixed use cases.
Grid & Energy
UK and France advance tidal power projects despite higher generation costs
The UK and France are backing tidal stream technology that currently costs £259 per megawatt hour to generate, significantly more than wind or solar, but offers predictable output to complement intermittent renewables. Global tidal deployment stands at around 20 megawatts, with plans to reach 400 megawatts in the early 2030s through projects in Scotland and France. The industry is targeting an 80 per cent cost reduction to £50 per megawatt hour by 2035, according to Interesting Engineering.
Why it matters
Predictable tidal generation could reduce grid balancing costs and reliance on backup power, potentially lowering overall electricity bills despite higher per unit costs. For EV charging operators, a more stable renewable baseload may improve grid reliability and reduce exposure to price volatility during peak demand periods.