A vehicle in the Renault range is given the Renault Eco2 symbol if it:

Emits less than 140g/km of CO2 or operates on biofuels (in France), on E85 ethanol   or on B30 biodiesel
 

Is manufactured in a plant that has been certified ISO 14001
 

Can be 95% recoverable at the end of its lifecycle (recyclable for other use or as a source of energy) and it includes at least 5% recycled plastics in its plastic mass.

MANUFACTURING

"The vehicle is manufactured in a plant that has been certified ISO 14001"

ISO 14001 certifies the progress made by an industrial site to reduce its water and energy consumption and the visual and audible disturbances, as well as the discharge of pollutants into the air and water.
Since 1996 Renault has decreased: its energy consumption by 25% (kW/vehicle),

its water consumption by 57% (m³/vehicle),
its waste by 65% (kg/vehicle),
its water-borne effluents by 38% (kg/vehicle)
its industrial liquid effluents by 44% (kg/j/vehicle).

CO2 EMISSION

"The vehicle emits less than 140g/km of CO2 or operates on biofuels (in France), on E85 ethanol or on B30 biodiesel"

CO2 is the main culprit behind the greenhouse effect that threatens climate change. Through the use of fossil fuel, motor vehicles release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Vehicles that emit less than 140g / km of greenhouse gases consume at least 47.9 mpg for a petrol engine or 53.3 mpg for a diesel engine.

Biofuels help reduce CO2 emissions as the plants used to create them absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis.

RECYCLING

To obtain the Renault eco² signature, at least 5% of the vehicle's plastic content has to be made of plastic recovered from end-of-life products.

This value represents the content of recovered plastic used in components stipulated by the ISO 14 021 standard.

This percentage varies from between 5% and 13% for Renault models

95% recoverable means that: 95% of its mass can be re-used ("a new life"):

10% can provide energy (cement production, heating, etc.)
85% for recovering matter, re-use.

Renault eco2 vehicles are eco-designed so that they can be 95% recovered by weight during end-of-life processing.

ECO Driving Tips

As a carmaker, Renault’s duty is to provide novel solutions that help its customers reduce their fuel consumption and, at the same time, curb the production of greenhouse gases.

Motorists can play a major part in reducing the fuel consumption of their vehicle. Eco-driving encourages drivers to go easy on their vehicles, which should be serviced properly and adapted to their needs.
Eco-driving can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%

Tip 1. Improve your gear changes

    * Shift down at approximately 1,000rpm.
    * Shift up to the next gear at approximately 2,000rpm in diesel vehicles and at 2,400rpm in a petrol engine.
    * At 30mph, you should already be in fourth or fifth gear

Tip 2. Drive smoothly

    * Maintain a steady speed as soon as possible (from 40kph).
    * Brake with the engine and use your foot brake as little as possible. Allowing the vehicle to slow naturally helps to cut the fuel flow.
    * At 30mph in fifth gear, lift off the accelerator 100m before a red light.

Tip 3. Think about how you accelerate

    * Up to 30mph, it is preferable to accelerate briskly up to fifth gear.
    * At speeds in excess of 30mph, acceleration should be restrained
    * Change gear very swiftly up to fifth gear.

Tip 4. Climbs and descents

    * Keep to the same speed when going down a hill.
    * On an uphill gradient, let the car lose speed, but without becoming obstructing other road-users. If possible, maintain your vehicle at a steady speed above 40kph.
    * Use descents to take your foot off the accelerator.

Tip 5. Use your motor smartly

    * Turn off your engine if you stop for more than 30 seconds.
    * Do not preheat your engine even in winter.
    * Pull away as soon as the engine has fired up.

Tip 6. Look after your car

    * Check tyre pressures every month.
    * If you have to use the air conditioning, make sure the difference between the temperatures inside your vehicle and outside is not too great.
    * Do not leave any unnecessary loads in your vehicle.
    * Remove roof bars and roof boxes when not in use.
    * Proper servicing and proper use of your vehicle are as important as eco-driving.

Dame Ellen MacArthur and Renault Eco2

Ellen MacArthur cares deeply about protecting the environment and has decided to take a constructive step. She has taken a stance as a “catalyst for change” and is encouraging concrete actions which will move society towards better care of the environment. As Renault’s campaign fits in perfectly with this aim Ellen MacArthur has committed to support the Renault eco2 initiative. “We can’t expect people to do without cars, but we can reduce transport-related C02 emissions by encouraging them to change their driving habits and buy cleaner cars”.