Retrofit: Renault Trucks Electrifies Its Old Diesels

Renault Trucks has obtained its first certification in France for a truck retrofitted from diesel to electric.

Renault Trucks has taken a new step in the field of converting thermal vehicles into electric vehicles. The manufacturer received, in November 2024, the first French approval for an electrically retrofitted truck. This vehicle, a Renault Trucks D of 12 tons initially combustion-powered, has been transformed into a battery electric truck. Intended for Extime, operator of duty-free shops at Paris Airport, this truck will be used under a rental contract managed by Clovis Grand Paris, a partner of Renault Trucks.

A conversion validated by rigorous certification

The project, carried out in partnership with Novumtech and financially supported by the Ecological Transition Agency (Ademe), allowed for the conversion of this thermal vehicle into an electric truck in a workshop at the end of 2023. Renault Trucks’ goal is to assess the economic and environmental performances of this technical solution. To do so, the truck had to undergo a precise certification process.

The transformation involved several steps to ensure the vehicle’s compliance with current standards. Once the conversion was completed, extensive tests were conducted by UTAC, an accredited technical organization, to verify electromagnetic compatibility according to standard R100 and to ensure the compliance of the braking systems. All results were then submitted to DREAL Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, which approved the administrative certification. This process enabled Renault Trucks to become the first manufacturer in France to obtain certification for a retrofitted electric truck.

A truck adapted for specific use

The vehicle will be used for regular trips between Extime warehouses and Paris Airport infrastructure. With a range of 250 km, it meets the operational needs of this activity and supports efforts to decarbonize the airport sector. This truck represents a first large-scale trial for Renault Trucks, which aims to validate the interest of converting thermal vehicles into electric vehicles.

Beyond environmental impact, Renault Trucks aims to evaluate the economic potential of retrofitting. According to the manufacturer, the acquisition cost of a retrofitted truck could be up to 15% lower than that of a new electric vehicle. Laurent Colpier, Vice President of Used Trucks and Urban Logistics at Renault Trucks, emphasizes that this project is part of a circular economy approach aimed at conserving natural resources while limiting environmental impact.

This first certification paves the way for the possible expansion of this solution to other vehicles. Renault Trucks thus aspires to play a pioneering role in the electric retrofit field, with potential applications across other industrial sectors.

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