Developed by Ampere, Renault’s EV-focused division, the Emblème is a fully operational prototype designed to address mounting concerns that electric vehicles merely shift - rather than solve - environmental burdens. As scrutiny grows around the true carbon lifecycle impact of electrified transport, the Emblème sets out to provide hard data and realistic, economically scalable solutions.

In this respect, its ambition echoes that of the Volkswagen XL1 of 2011, which challenged conventions around weight, efficiency and aerodynamics. Where the XL1 targeted extreme fuel economy, Emblème pursues minimal carbon footprint from the first metaphorical spade in the ground to the last bolt recycled. 

Whilst far from a supercar, the technology and innovation that’s gone into the Emblème has to be admired. Renault has set an ambitious target: just 5 tonnes of CO₂e emissions from cradle to grave. Importantly, this target will be measured and independently verified. For context, the Megane E-Tech EV currently in production requires 25 tonnes over the same metric. A 2019 Renault Captur - powered by petrol - will consume 50 tonnes.

The lifecycle analysis (LCA) underpinning these figures was conducted in accordance with ISO standards, and independently audited by IFPEN (Institut Français du Pétrole et des Énergies Nouvelles). It incorporates emissions from material extraction, component manufacture, vehicle assembly, distribution, road use over 200,000km, and end-of-life processing - providing a full emissions profile rather than a cherry-picked profile to suit a narrative.

How has Renault done it?

Weight is the obvious starting point - fewer materials means less energy used to produce them. At 1,800kg, the Emblème is certainly lighter than most mid-sized electric SUVs, but no featherweight. Instead, engineers within Renault and its army of suppliers focused on cutting excess from structural and ancillary components, prioritising material substitution and design simplification.

Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) and press-hardenable steels (PHS), provided by ArcelorMittal, enabled an 8% weight saving on body-in-white structures. These steels include up to 75% recycled content and are manufactured using renewable electricity, contributing to a massive 69% CO₂e reduction compared to standard equivalents.

Aluminium, sourced and fabricated by Constellium, was employed for exterior body panels and doors, leveraging its recyclability and low processing energy when sourced from secondary material streams. Similarly, Dicastal supplied aluminium alloy wheels with 70% recycled content, combining aerodynamic optimisation with mass reduction.

Inside, the Emblème’s interior components follow a single-material philosophy wherever possible to simplify recycling. Forvia’s approach involved natural fibres (linen, pineapple) and non-adhesive assembly methods, avoiding mixed-material composites that complicate separation at end of life.

Forvia (formerly Hella) also supplies the Emblème’s headlamp units, which use fresnel lenses and bio-based polymers to halve their lifecycle CO₂e emissions. Valeo contributes a wiper system featuring 3D-printed polymer parts, and a brushless motor collectively delivering a 60% emissions reduction.

Tyres are another important factor. Michelin have provided a bespoke Primacy with a rolling resistance of 4.5kg/t - a significant improvement over the 5.5kg/t norm. When it goes into production, the design is expected to reduce tyre-related carbon impact by over 40% by 2035.

Streamlined aerodynamics that still comply with safety legislation is another key obstacle. Developed in partnership with the Alpine F1 Team, the Emblème’s has a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25 and a CdA of 0.60 - impressive figures given the concept's dimensions. 

To achieve this, active aerodynamics feature prominently: the front air intakes are adaptable and the rear diffuser pivots to balance underbody flow. The wing mirrors have been replaced by cameras embedded within the wheel arches to reduce turbulence. The windscreen wipers are also fully concealed.

1,000km Range

This attention to air resistance plays a key role in achieving the vehicle’s energy efficiency targets, particularly given the relatively modest battery capacity. This marks the point of departure from conventional BEVs, with the Emblème integrating hydrogen as an onboard energy source.

This, however, does not mean the Emblème is a hybrid in the conventional sense. It has no internal combustion engine, nor does it rely on fossil fuels. Instead, the concept combines a 40kWh lithium-ion battery with a 30kW hydrogen fuel cell, both of which supply electric power to the same rear-mounted motor. In that respect, it is more accurately described as a dual-energy electric vehicle - drawing its propulsion entirely from electrical sources, but using hydrogen to extend range and reduce dependence on large-capacity batteries.

The architecture allows the car to function day-to-day as a standard BEV, with plug-in charging and regenerative braking. On longer routes, the hydrogen system supplies electricity directly to the motor or to recharge the battery, depending on demand. The benefit lies in reducing overall battery mass and embedded emissions, while still offering long-range capability and short refuelling times.

The Emblème’s projected operational range is up to 1,000km on a single hydrogen fill and full battery charge, with no tailpipe emissions beyond water vapour. The hydrogen tank can be refilled in under five minutes, offering practical parity with internal combustion vehicles for longer journeys.

Strict carbon management within the supply chain also contributes to savings. The powertrain is built at Ampere ElectriCity complex in northern France, and up to 75% of components are sourced within a 300km radius of the plant.

Future Impact and Influence

Once the theoretical 200,000km have been covered, the recycling process can begin. Renault claims the Emblème is over 90% recyclable by mass. Roughly half of its materials are post-consumer or post-industrial recycled - material choices and assembly techniques (e.g. non-permanent bonding) speed up the disassembly and remanufacture process. Key materials such as aluminium, thermoplastics and single-polymer composites are intended for reintegration into new automotive cycles. 

Recyclability is further simplified by the seat fabrics using additive colour synthesis and only employing four yarn colours, thus removing the need for chemical dyeing.

Despite its positive environmental intent, the Renault Emblème is not destined for production. Questions remain around the scalability of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and the long-term availability of raw materials.

Still, the Emblème sets a new benchmark for full-lifecycle emissions, with its systems technology expected to filter into production models over the next decade. As embedded carbon becomes a defining metric in vehicle development, sustainability is emerging as the next major R&D frontier - as critical to long-term competitiveness as battery performance itself. The Emblème concept shows Renault is not only conscious of this shift, but intent on gaining an early advantage.