More than any other light commercial vehicle manufacturer Renault has pioneered the development of electric vehicle technology.
While other brands have taken a back seat and let their peers test the market, Renault has been bold in its belief that plug-in vans represent the best solution to the challenges facing goods delivery operators and service providers, particularly in cities, as pressure grows to improve air quality and diesel vans face mounting sanctions and the prospect of no-go zones.
The manufacturer launched its first electric Kangoo light van in 2011 and for a long time ploughed a lonely furrow as customers baulked at prohibitively high upfront costs – despite the government’s 20% Plug-in-Van Grant – the loss of payload due to the weight of the batteries, and range anxiety, a problem exacerbated by the lack of an adequate charging infrastructure.
But Renault stayed true to its course and continued to promote the environmental, functional and economical benefits of electric vans. Steady advances in electric vehicle (EV) technology helped its case and in September 2017 the brand introduced the Kangoo Z.E. Van 33 with new 33kW batteries that have increased range by 50% to 168 miles on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), or 124 miles under real-world conditions, according to Renault.
Full battery charging time has been reduced from eight to six hours and although rapid charging is not offered – as Renault says it reduces the lifespan of the battery – a one-hour lunchtime charge can top-up the range with an extra 22 miles.
Payloads of 650kg for the Kangoo Z.E. and the long-wheelbase Maxi Z.E. version, and maximum load volumes of 3.5m3 and 4.6m3 respectively, correspond to the diesel equivalents.
The brand is also lining up a new version of the Kangoo Maxi Z.E with an expanded load volume of 6.0m3, designed to meet the growing demand for parcel-delivery operations in cities.
The Kangoo Z.E. was a worthy winner of What Van?’s Green Award for 2018 and Renault’s LCV product manager Steve Wilson says: “Winning the Green Award has been a great boost for the reputation of the Kangoo Z.E.33. We promote the award win on our website and our dealers discuss the award, and why the Kangoo Z.E won it. To have recognition from such a well-regarded magazine really gives customers additional peace of mind.”
Wilson says Renault put a What Van? Award winner’s logo on the Kangoo Z.E. it displayed at this year’s Commercial Vehicle Show to boost its reputation with the industry movers and shakers who flocked to the event.
“We also encourage our dealers and corporate sales team to make prospects aware of this important recognition from a well-respected title,” he adds.
Wilson claims the introduction of the new battery to the Kangoo Z.E. means that it is now a viable proposition to operators who would not previously have considered running electric vehicles.
“People transitioning from ICE (internal combustion engine) to EV are often concerned about range,” he explains.
“The 50% increase in range from the new 33kW battery means the Kangoo Z.E.33 is relevant to many more usage scenarios.”
Take the lead: the prize-winning Kangoo Z.E.
But while light vans, such as the Kangoo Z.E., Nissan e-NV200 and Electric Peugeot Partner and Citroen Berlingo have led the way in establishing electric vans in the marketplace, large vans are now joining the party and this development could prove to be the game-changer when it comes to the home-delivery sector. Renault will once more be at the forefront, with its Master Z.E. going on sale in October.
“The Master Z.E. will offer companies an additional solution of zero-emission last-mile deliveries for larger goods,” Wilson says.
He claims the large van strikes the right balance between price (it is expected to cost more than £40,000 excluding VAT and after the Plug-in Van Grant), range and payload but points out the model will also be compatible with most of the range of conversions offered by Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicles, “including tipper and fridge vans that will be ideally suited for urban use”.
Wilson believes the Master Z.E. will appeal to urban customers requiring more load volume, rather than those who need more payload.
A potential stumbling block for the take-up of large electric vans is that most of the charging points in towns and cities are designed for cars and smaller vans and may not have space for bigger vehicles.
But Wilson counters: “The infrastructure is growing and Renault Pro+ Commercial Vehicles was pleased to hear the government Road to Zero announcement recently that committed to new standards for public and private infrastructure, including the provision of charging points.”
He also reckons most companies investing in large electric vans will install their own charging points in order to be able to recharge them in the depot overnight.
Interestingly, he says this is also the case for the Kangoo Z.E., but adds: “As we see more smaller businesses adopting EVs there will be more and more home charging taking place.”
With the Kangoo Z.E. already established and the Master Z.E. large van on its way, the obvious question is what are the plug-in plans for the popular Trafic medium van?
Wilson plays his cards close to his chest but offers the teaser: “There is some exciting news on the way in the coming months.”
Alongside its electric vans Renault has been working hard to establish its range of conversions. At the Commercial Vehicle Show the brand displayed a number of examples including a fridge van conversion of the Kangoo Z.E., a Trafic camper van, a new aluminium tipper body fitted to the Master double-cab, a Master temperature-controlled pharmaceutical delivery van from the Renault Tech line of factory-fitted conversions, and the Renault Tech Master parcel delivery van that features a walk-through bulkhead and racking designed with UPS. The Trafic Formula Edition, with the brand’s Ready4Work racking designed by Sortimo, was also showcased.
Wilson says: “The conversions we introduced at the CV Show have been very well received with customers, with orders already being placed. We have a number of new developments on the way as well.”
He says the Master-based Luton Loloader is the top seller followed by tipper variants.
Wilson claims the in-house sign-writing initiative Renault also launched at the CV Show, primarily for sole traders and SMEs, has made an encouraging start too.
“The announcement had a lot of coverage, with even some large fleets interested in using the service,” he says.
The scheme aims to make life easier for customers by enabling them to order livery at the same time as their vans with Renault then carrying out the work at the UK import centre prior to delivery. Each job costs between £215 and £535, excluding VAT, depending on the size of model (Kangoo, Trafic or Master).
Renault’s UK line-up could yet be expanded with the introduction of the Alaskan pick-up truck. Having launched the model in the rest of Europe in September 2017, the brand postponed its UK launch due to concerns over the currency exchange rate, with sterling weakening against the euro. While the assumption was it would no longer make it to these shores, Wilson says: “The Alaskan is still under consideration and its position, both within our line-up and in the market, is regularly reviewed.”
Watch this space.
The Renault Master Z.E. goes on sale this October
