Retrofit on Renault Master, good or bad idea?

Renault and TOLV team up to give a second life to the Master III with 100% electric retrofit kits.

Pioneer and expert in converting professional vehicles into 100% electric utilities, TOLV has taken on the Master, with Renault’s blessing, after unveiling a first retrofit kit for the Renault Trafic in 2022.

Retrofit is definitely in vogue. You take a polluting vehicle, remove everything that pollutes, namely its internal combustion engine, and install a state-of-the-art electric propulsion unit and a battery. At the end of the operation, you have a more sustainable, cleaner vehicle, capable of living a new life and continuing to assist you in your activities for many more years. On paper, retrofit presents a credible economic alternative for professionals who cannot afford to purchase a new vehicle. But is that really the case?

Still and always this dream of making new from old

The 100% electric retrofit kits for the Renault Master III are available from TOLV starting at €26,900 excl. VAT after deducting the national retrofit grant. Considering that the prices for the 2024 model year start around €50,000 excl. VAT, the operation doesn’t seem ridiculous. However, one must accept continuing to drive an old vehicle. Less well-equipped, less comfortable, with fewer driving aids, and especially with running gear that may have already been quite worn from a hard first working life. These last two points are indeed detrimental to passenger safety, we must not delude ourselves. However, an used 100% electric Master will be only slightly more expensive and much more modern…

We love the concept of retrofit and Renault’s overall approach that allows a second life to models like the 4L, but in our view, retrofit doesn’t make sense today for a self-employed professional. On the other hand, it is perfect for a company looking to reduce its overall ecological footprint. Here is the real target!

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