The Renault Trucks E-Tech T Diamond Echo at -19°C in Lapland

The future electric truck from Renault Trucks, the E-Tech Diamond Echo, continues its rigorous testing in the extreme polar cold.

The Renault Trucks E-Tech Diamond Echo, an electric truck outfitted with unique electroluminescent lighting, recently completed a 23,000-kilometer roadshow across Europe. This technical and logistical achievement concluded in Finnish Lapland, in the heart of winter, with temperatures reaching -19 °C. A true demonstration of the reliability of electric trucks in extreme conditions.

Starting from the headquarters of Renault Trucks in Lyon in April 2024, the Diamond Echo traveled through eight countries: France, the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and Finland. With daily stages reaching up to 700 km, this roadshow showcased optimized management of intermediate recharges and a maximum range of 360 km recorded on a single charge between Switzerland and Germany.

Exceptional performance in winter conditions

For the final phase of its journey, the Diamond Echo traveled from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, covering 1,600 km in several stages. During a record day, the truck covered 700 km, including two intermediate recharges. Extreme cold did not hinder its performance: only a slight increase in consumption of 10 to 15%, mainly due to aerodynamics and winter tires—common factors across all powertrains.

“Tests carried out in Finland confirmed that electric trucks remain fully operational even in harsh winter conditions,” explains Régis Pierrelle, Director of Electromobility Operations at Renault Trucks. Range, charging times, and the availability of charging infrastructure were not compromised. The programmable preheating system played a crucial role in minimizing the impact of heating on energy consumption.

In Finland, a local customer shared an illustrative story: on a day with -30 °C, the only truck in his fleet to start was an electric Renault Trucks. Diesel trucks had been immobilized due to AdBlue crystallization, reaffirming the reliability of electric powertrains in polar conditions.

This roadshow is the culmination of a year of intensive testing and customer engagements. It underscores Renault Trucks’ electric solutions’ ability to meet professionals’ needs, whether for long-distance transport, urban logistics, or extreme environments.

With the Diamond Echo, Renault Trucks proves that the energy transition in road transport is not only feasible but also efficient and reliable, even in the most demanding environments.

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