Renault revealed its new electric van range at the CV Show in Birmingham last week. The three new models are named the Renault Trafic, Renault Goelette and Renault Estafette, and are all bundled under Renault’s ‘E-Tech’ EV branding.
Described by Renault as “a new generation of disruptive electric LCVs”, the three share the same skateboard-style platform as used by most manufacturers for EVs for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
The vans’ short overhangs and rear-mounted powertrains optimise load capacity and allow a wide variety of body styles. As well as boasting compact dimensions, the vans also have a tight turning circle of 10.3 metres – matching that of the Renault Clio supermini.
The company emphasised the vehicles’ suitability for the urban last-mile delivery market, which it sees as one of the fastest-evolving transport sectors in Europe. In 2023, last-mile business in Europe reached a €30 billion turnover and it’s not slowing down, with Renault forecasting 30-40% growth every year within the electric van segment in Europe until 2030.
All three of the new Renault vans offer 800-volt charging technology, enabling users to recharge the vehicle battery from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes. All models will be available in standard and long-range battery formats with respectively close to 220 or 280 miles in official lab tests between charges. Both short-and long-range versions will be powered by the same 150kW (201hp) motor, which also produces 345 Nm of torque.
The two batteries use different materials to reflect their priorities. The long-range battery uses NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) for a higher energy density to maximise driving range, while the standard-range battery is made from LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology, which yields less range but is notably cheaper to produce, helping keep prices down.
The new Renault Trafic E-Tech, which is completely different to the existing diesel van of the same name, will take a payload of up to 5.1m3 volume in short-wheelbase L1 form and 5.8m3 in long-wheelbase L2 specification, the L2 being 40cm longer between front and rear wheels. Both have a low 1.9-metre vehicle height to allow access to underground car parks.
Recalling another historic Renault van name from the 1950s, the Goelette can carry up to 1.4 tonnes and is designed as a conversion-friendly vehicle. Examples include the fitment of a high-capacity box van cargo bay with a capacity of more than 10m3, or a deep cab that can seat up to six occupants.
The Estafette, which also revives the name of a Renault van sold between 1959 and 1980, is specifically designed for urban use, its very tall design of 2.6 metres allowing the driver to stand upright in its cargo bay. It will be offered in just one 5.3m length with a 9.2m3 load capacity.
Launching the van range, Renault emphasised the importance of electric vans for the last-mile sector. There are some 320 low-emission zones across European cities, a number that has increased by 40% since 2019. This is expected to rapidly increase to more than 500 such zones, and Renault expects at least 35 zero-emission zones in Europe by 2030.
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