Renault Trucks revitalises electric offering
Renault Trucks has unveiled a new offer of support for its customers making the transition to electric trucks as it aims for 50 per cent of its sales to be electric by 2030, and 100 per cent ‘fossil-free’ by 2040.
The new electric offering is named E-Tech and focuses on all-round support for customers, from initial purchase to operational monitoring of their electric trucks. It is set to replace the current offer of Z.E electric trucks launched in 2020 and provide operators with practical assistance on their transition to electric power.
Support is structured in four phases: firstly, an initial phase during which Renault Trucks helps customers draw up their decarbonisation plans and analyse and define their needs. The manufacturer provides its expertise in the solutions available on the market and understanding of the business constraints of its customers.
A second phase focuses on diagnosis, based on precise knowledge of the customer’s activity, including analysis of the fleet and routes and the sites’ electrical facilities. It involves use of simulation tools to help customers make decisions and monitor their activity, such as a carbon emission reduction simulator and a range simulator.
Following this diagnosis, Renault Trucks provides the customer with a detailed recommendation, which includes a roll-out schedule and a forecast of the reduction in CO2 emissions for the coming years.
Next, the manufacturer co-builds the new electric mobility ecosystem alongside the customer. The solution includes financing, taking into account local or governmental subsidies, the definition and setup of the complete truck with its equipment and bodywork, on-site charging facilities, and maintenance agreements. It is during this phase that the manufacturer provides its customer with an electric truck, so that it can be tested in real working conditions.
In the final phase, Renault Trucks acts as the project manager for the customer’s decarbonisation solution, including installation of on-site charging facilities, and training drivers and fleet administrators.
Renault Trucks and its network will then support customers in the operational monitoring of their fleet, thanks to vehicle connectivity. This involves the manufacturer monitoring the charging facilities, tracking driving and consumption and making suggestions for optimisation, recommending routes, and optimising maintenance operations.
The hardware
Renault Trucks is expanding its all-electric range from 2023 with two new models with gross weights of up to 44 tonnes: the Renault Trucks T E-Tech for regional transport and the Renault Trucks C E-Tech for the construction industry. The company’s current offering only extends from 3.1 to 26 tonne GVWs.
The new models in the heavy-duty range will be fitted with two or three electric motors providing a combined power of up to 490 kW (equivalent to 666 hp). They will be equipped with Optidriver automated transmissions.
The Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech will have two to six lithium-ion battery packs with a capacity of 180 to 540 kWh. The vehicles’ batteries can be fully charged in 9.5 hours by alternating current (AC) up to 43 kW, or in 2.5 hours by direct current (DC) up to 250 kW. These trucks will be able to travel up to 300 km on a single charge and up to 500 km with a one-hour intermediate fast charge (250 kW).
For easy adaption to any use, the Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech can be equipped with three types of power take-off, says the manufacturer: electric, electromechanical or gear-box-mounted.
The new 44-tonne electric trucks will be available as 4×2 and 6×2 tractors, and as 4×2, 6×2 and 8×4 tridem rigids.
The Renault Trucks T and C E-Tech will go on sale in the first quarter of 2023. They will be manufactured at the Renault Trucks plant in Bourg-en-Bresse.
