Renault Trafic Van E-Tech: 800-volt supercar architecture

Renault disrupts the light commercial vehicle segment by unveiling the Trafic Van E-Tech Electric, whose 800-volt technology is astonishing.

Since its launch in 1980, the Trafic has sold more than 2.5 million units and has established itself as a key reference in the mid-size van market. This fourth generation, however, marks a far deeper break than previous ones: for the first time on a Renault commercial vehicle, an 800-volt electric architecture is adopted. A technology until now reserved for premium electric cars and supercars, it promises to open a new era in professional mobility.

The advantage is obvious. In the commercial vehicle world, where downtime directly translates into reduced productivity, charging speed becomes a major criterion. Thanks to 800 volts, the Trafic can go from 15% to 80% battery in around twenty minutes, recovering roughly 260 kilometers of range in the process. This capability radically changes the daily routine of heavy users, who no longer need to organize their day around long forced stops. The 800 V also improves overall energy efficiency by reducing losses and limiting heating — two crucial issues for vehicles expected to run continuously.

An XXL range for everyday use

The battery lineup reinforces the aim to meet all use cases. The long-range version, based on NMC chemistry, achieves around 450 kilometers WLTP — an unprecedented figure in the electric commercial vehicle world. The LFP battery intended for urban use offers nearly 350 kilometers while using a cobalt- and nickel-free composition, which is more economical and sustainable. All cells are produced in Europe, and the batteries are assembled in France at the Sandouville plant, where the Trafic will also be manufactured.

On the performance side, the 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor and 345 Nm deliver towing and loading capabilities comparable to a modern combustion van, with up to two tonnes of traction and more than 1.2 tonnes of payload. Added to this are V2L and V2G features, which either allow powering tools or external devices directly from the vehicle or feeding energy back to the grid. The Trafic thus becomes a full-fledged energy tool, capable of supporting a construction site or contributing to grid stability.

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A technology borrowed from Formula 1!

This technological advance comes with an entirely new design. Unlike electric vans derived from combustion models, the Trafic Van E-Tech is built on a 100% electric “skateboard” platform. The motor is mounted at the rear, freeing a minimal front overhang and offering an astonishingly short turning radius for a vehicle of this size — equivalent to that of a Clio. Urban usage is transformed: despite large cargo volumes — 5.1 m³ in L1 and 5.8 m³ in L2 — the Trafic retains great agility and a height limited to 1.90 m, compatible with all underground car parks.

The design follows the same logic of innovation. The more aerodynamic monovolume silhouette is marked by a horizontal light band that incorporates a backlit diamond, giving the van a strong, decidedly modern visual identity. The use of textured black plastic, animated by laser micro-hatchings, evokes the robustness expected of a commercial vehicle while echoing the stylistic language of the brand’s recent electric models.

At the rear, Renault introduces for the first time a raised light signature on a van, with two vertical lines framing the asymmetrical doors.

An ultra high-tech cabin

The cabin, also redesigned, is built around a tubular dashboard that spans the full width of the vehicle. Two screens — a 10-inch digital cluster and a 12-inch multimedia system clearly angled toward the driver — modernize the working environment and simplify navigation, organization, and management of professional tools.

Everywhere, storage is abundant, deep, and varied, designed for professionals who use their van as a true mobile workspace. Renault even goes as far as integrating plant-based materials in some visible areas of the dashboard as part of its eco-design approach.

With the Trafic Van E-Tech Electric, Renault is not merely electrifying a bestseller. The brand is introducing, in a traditionally conservative segment, a major innovation capable of permanently changing usage patterns: the arrival of 800 volts.

This technology, combined with a redesigned platform, an ambitious digital strategy and Made in France production, positions this Trafic as one of the most accomplished electric commercial vehicles to date. Its launch, at the end of 2026, should mark a turning point not only for Renault but for the entire commercial vehicle market.

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