RENAULT TRUCKS GO ELECTRIC FOR EVERY SECTOR BY 2023
Renault Truck have confirmed that by 2023 they will offer an all-electric model for every market segment such as distribution, construction and long distance and to support it they are setting up an organisation dedicated to electric mobility. Renault Trucks is thereby confirming its commitment to fossil-free transport.
2nd generation Renault Trucks are already here
Renault Trucks began series production of its second generation of electric vehicles at the Blainville-sur-Orne plant over a year ago with the Renault Trucks D Z.E., D Wide Z.E. and the Renault Trucks Master Z.E. covering gross vehicle weights from 3.1 to 26 tonnes. That’s not the end of the development as they are now extending vehicle electrification tractor units by developing an equivalent Z.E. tractor to meet the needs of regional and inter-regional transport from 2023. Finally the battery technology will lead to a construction version as well which will break cover around the same time.
Renault Trucks and Volvo Group R&D
In order to achieve these goals, Renault Trucks is backed by dedicated units, both in Research and Development and in the sales and after-sales organisation and will use strategic partnerships, as well as relying on synergies within the Volvo Group, to which it belongs, to increase volumes and reduce costs. To facilitate this sustainable transition, Renault Trucks will also have the support of its new R&D centre in Lyon – the X-Tech Arena – which will be built by the beginning of 2023 through an investment of EUR 33 million.
To ensure hauliers get the best solutions in electric mobility, Renault Trucks will benefit from the work carried out by the Volvo Group’s new development unit dedicated to medium-tonnage vehicles, a core segment for the phased introduction of electromobility for trucks. Renault Trucks will also capitalise on the partnerships developed by Volvo Energy, the Volvo Group’s new entity dedicated to the supply, second life and recycling of batteries, as well as to charging solutions. As for the development of battery packs specifically for heavy goods vehicle applications, it will benefit from the strategic alliance formed by the Volvo Group and Samsung SDI.
Renault Trucks and Fuel Cells
During the second half of the decade, Renault Trucks will be able to offer a range of electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, mainly for demanding and heavy long-haul operations.
“Electric mobility is the pillar of our strategy and we aim to lead the field,” announced Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks. “We’re aiming for 35% of our sales to be electric in 2030. By 2040, all our vehicle ranges will be 100% fossil-free.”
As trucks have a lifespan of at least ten years, all trucks manufactured by 2040 must run without fossil fuels. Battery-electric and fuel cell electric power will be crucial to achieve this major transformation towards carbon-free transport.
New eMobility team
As regards the marketing of its Z.E. range and customer support, Renault Trucks has set up a new entity responsible for electric mobility projects, in order to boost both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. This team has acquired a high level of expertise and is working to develop partnerships involving all the stakeholders (hauliers, distributors, public authorities, energy suppliers, etc.) to propose smart and competitive electric range with added value for hauliers.
Click here to read about Volvo Group and Daimlers fuel cell partnership