This electric minivan is bringing an ’80s icon back to life

This one is a car story, not a home energy story, so it won't affect your house or any rebates. Still, here's what's happening: Renault is reviving its Espace minivan, an icon from the 1980s, as a fully electric vehicle called the E-Space Concept. The automaker describes it as "rebooting the spirit" of the original, with a modern take on the boxy minivan shape rather than the SUV-style Espace Renault already sells.

The electric version will be about the same size as the Kia PV5 and Volkswagen ID. Buzz SWB, two other electric vans on the market. Renault hasn't released battery or range details yet, but the company is shifting its whole EV lineup to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, a cheaper and more durable battery chemistry, so the minivan will likely use one too. One outlet reports it may ride on Renault's new RGEV Medium 2.0 platform, with a possible range around 500 miles, and that the platform could also support a gas-electric hybrid version with extended range.

Renault plans to unveil the E-Space Concept on October 12 at the Paris Motor Show, alongside two other concept cars and several new or updated models. There's no word yet on price, on-sale date, or whether it will come to the United States.