Renault Trucks will launch a range of electric vehicles in 2019. This range capitalises on the experience gleaned from ten years of testing electric trucks in real-life conditions with its customer-partners. These all-electric trucks are primarily designed for use in urban and inter-city situations and will be produced at the Renault Trucks plant at Blainville-sur-Orne in Normandy, France.

Electromobility is the cornerstone of Renault Trucks’ strategy for sustainable urban transport. Zero-emission vehicles help improve air quality, curb climate change and also reduce congestion thanks to noise-free out-of-hours deliveries. Tomorrow, electric trucks will be simply indispensable for city centre access.

Renault Trucks has been investing heavily in research and development around electromobility since 2009, focusing on extensive field testing in partnership with its customers. Real-world tests on various types of experimental full-electric 12-16 tonne trucks – Speed Distribution for Guerlain, Stef for Carrefour, Nestlé and the Delanchy Group – have provided Renault Trucks with vital information on conditions of use, battery behaviour, recharging facilities and specific maintenance requirements for electric trucks.

“As we transition to a lower carbon economy, electric trucks are driving the future for urban operations – we excitedly await production availability for our UK customers,” comments Nigel Butler, Commercial Director, Renault Trucks UK.

In addition to the great strides made in understanding customer uses and market requirements, Renault Trucks is able to take advantage of the impressive R&D resources offered by the Volvo Group, benefit from tried and tested technology and harness synergy between different entities working on all-electric vehicle development such as buses. Thanks to these economies of scale, Renault Trucks is now in a position to market a cost-effective range of vehicles for its customers in 2019.

A dedicated assembly line for all-electric trucks is being installed at Renault Trucks’ Blainville-sur-Orne plant in Normandy.

Renault Trucks

About the Author: John Loughran