The Bourg-en-Bresse plant in France has been assembling Renault trucks for 60 years and will now produce the Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C, the manufacturer said. Designed for regional distribution and urban construction, these vehicles are the latest addition to Renault’s range of fully electric vehicles from 650 kg (e-cargo bikes) to 44 tonnes.
To produce these 44-tonne electric trucks, Renault Trucks has invested in the transformation and adaptation of its industrial facilities and in the training of its employees.
The Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C are assembled on the same line as their diesel counterparts, then transferred to a dedicated 5,200 m2 area – the Renault Trucks E-Tech Factory – where qualified operators and technicians carry out the specific technical operations for electrification, namely the assembly of the Electric Drive Unit (EDU) and the installation of the gearbox and batteries.
The electric vehicles then return to the production process, where performance tests and road trials are carried out to ensure reliability and quality.
With a GVW of up to 44 tonnes, Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C are available in 4×2 and 6×2 tractor versions with long cabs and a wheelbase of 3,900 mm. In the rigid configuration, they are available in 4×2, 6×2 and 8×4 tridem versions, with short or long cabs and a choice of eleven wheelbases from 3,900 to 6,700 mm.
Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C can be fitted with two or three electric motors for a total power output of up to 490 kW (= 660 hp).
Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C can also be fitted with four to six lithium-ion battery packs with a capacity of between 390 and 540 kWh. The batteries can be recharged by alternating current (AC) up to 43 kW or by direct current (DC) up to 250 kW.
These lorries will be able to travel up to 300 km on a full charge and up to 500 km on an intermediate fast charge (250 kW) lasting one hour (for a vehicle equipped with 6 battery packs).
The battery cells and modules are supplied by Samsung SDI and assembled in Ghent, Belgium, in a plant owned by the Volvo Group, of which Renault Trucks is a member.