The electroluminescent vehicle covered 23,000 kilometres across Europe since departing Lyon in April, achieving daily distances of up to 700 kilometres through strategic charging. The truck demonstrated a maximum single-charge range of 360 kilometres during its journey between Switzerland and Germany.
In December 2024, the truck tackled Finland’s extreme weather, completing a 1,600-kilometre route from Helsinki to Rovaniemi in temperatures as low as -19°C. Despite the harsh conditions, the vehicle maintained performance levels comparable to diesel trucks, with only a 10-15% increase in energy consumption primarily due to factors affecting all vehicles, such as aerodynamics and winter tyres.
Régis Pierrelle, Director of Electromobility Operations at Renault Trucks, noted that concerns about range, charging availability, and charging times proved unfounded. The truck’s programmable pre-heating system effectively managed cabin heating without significantly impacting range.
In a notable comparison, Pierrelle shared an account of a Finnish customer whose electric Renault truck was the only vehicle in their fleet to start during -30°C conditions, while diesel trucks were immobilised due to AdBlue crystallisation.
The extensive trial demonstrates the practical viability of electric trucks in Europe’s coldest operating environments.