Renault Trucks Unveils 2 Trucks and a 100% Electrified Range

Thanks to the new T and C E-Tech, all Renault Trucks will have an electric version in 2023, aiming for 50% of sales by 2030.

We have already seen that the truck world is shifting towards electric, while hesitating with hydrogen. Sometimes this appears in the form of original vehicles like Volta, but traditional manufacturers are also maintaining their lead.

50% electric by 2030

Renault Trucks, one of the largest players in the European market, is well acquainted with electric trucks. It launched the D ZE (then E-Tech), battery-powered versions of its 16, 19, and 26-ton models, as well as the Master ZE/E-Tech. In 2021, the French company announced sales of 249 units, and 2022 looks promising with 613 orders in progress.

In the longer term, Renault Trucks’ goal is simple: convert half of its sales to electric. Ten years later, in 2040, the brand aims to become carbon neutral. But to reach these capacities towards this goal, two new models are joining the catalog.

Two new Renault Trucks electric models

The largest and most important of these new trucks is the Renault Trucks T E-Tech heavy-duty vehicle. The second new model is the C E-Tech, a truck dedicated to construction.

The French manufacturer remains vague about the specifications but indicates that they will have six battery sizes ranging from 180 to 540 kWh. This should be enough to cover up to 300 km, and fast charging reaches up to 250 kW (DC direct current socket), compared to 43 kW in AC three-phase.

Regarding configurations, Renault Trucks indicates “tractor versions 4×2 and 6×2 and chassis cab versions 4×2, 6×2, and 8×4 tridem”. They will accept a maximum load of 44 tons and develop a maximum power of 490 kW or 666 hp, via 2 or 3 electric motors. As for the Optidriver transmission, it will enable movement, which can also be electric or electromechanical.

Electrified range in 2023

Businesses, local authorities, or interested parties, be patient as the Renault Trucks C E-Tech and T E-Tech have not yet announced prices. Their launch will take place in early 2023, with manufacturing in France in Bourg-en-Bresse, like their thermal counterparts.

Renault Trucks will thus compete with the sister brand Volvo Trucks (owned by Volvo AB), which already has many electric models. It will also take the lead over Mercedes-Benz only in the eActros/eEconic and also Fuso eCanter.

Likewise with Man, the ETG and small eTGM van, but the large electric truck will debut in 2024. Scania also knows about electric on small trucks, with a particularity being another hybrid plug-in version.

However, while Mercedes-Benz, Iveco/Nikola, and Man have also invested in hydrogen-powered heavy trucks, Renault Trucks remains limited to the Master H₂ via its Hyvia subsidiary.

Also read: Electric and hydrogen heavy trucks: a new super bonus