Renault and Polestar have become the latest auto brands to announce enormous EV discounts, joining the likes of Peugeot and Nissan in attempting to clear stock and boost sales before the end of the financial year.
The French brand has reduced the starting price of its 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech from $64,990 to $54,990 plus on-road costs – a saving of $10,000 – until June 30, just three months after the all-new electric SUV arrived in Australia.
Renault says the revised pricing is an early EOFY special offer inspired by the increasingly competitive new-car landscape.
“We’ve been delighted with the response to the Megane E-Tech since its launch in early February,” said Renault Australia general manager Glen Sealey.
“Australia has a highly competitive automotive environment, with over 60 car brands competing for an annual new car market of 1.1-1.2 million vehicles, so we have always taken into account the dynamics of such a fast-moving environment.
“This limited end-of-financial-year offer, at the key selling period of the year, will ensure we remain competitive.”
Renault Australia has delivered 97 Megane E-Tech vehicles to April this year, which sees the dedicated small electric SUV nipping at the heels of the company’s own significantly cheaper Arkana (140) and Captur (102) small SUVs, as well as the brand-new Volvo EX30 released only this month (115).
Polestar Australia, meantime, is offering up to $15,000 off its Tesla Model 3-hunting Polestar 2 fastback sedan as part of its ‘Electrify Australia’ offer.
The discounts vary between $5000-$15,000 depending on the powertrain and chosen specifications of the vehicle in question, with an extra $5000 bonus being applied to ‘Pure Spec’ vehicles – those not fitted with any option packs.
Standard Range Single Motor versions of the Polestar 2 score a $5000 discount across the board, increasing to $7500 for Long Range Single Motor variants, while Long Range Dual Motor vehicles have had $10,000 taken off their usual asking prices, plus the aforementioned $5000 Pure Spec bonus (not applicable to the Long Range Dual Motor with Performance Pack).
“To support Australia’s transition to cleaner transport, and the proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standards, Polestar is offering savings worth up to $15,000 on orders of Polestar 2, helping more Australians make the transition to cleaner, electric driving,” said Polestar.
The offer is valid on all new Polestar 2 orders until June 9 – as long as the vehicle is delivered by June 30 – and follows previous discounts amounting to $10,000 earlier this year.
Australian EV sales are up 32.3 per cent so far this year, with 31,662 battery-electric cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles delivered as of April 30.