Renault Trucks has obtained France’s first road homologation for an electric retrofitted truck. The vehicle, a 12-tonne Renault Trucks D converted into a battery-electric truck, will be leased to Extime, the operator of the Paris Airport duty-free stores, through Clovis Grand Paris, Renault Trucks’ leasing partner.
The conversion from a 12-tonne internal combustion engine truck to a battery-electric vehicle was completed at the end of 2023, in collaboration with Novumtech and with financial support from the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe).
This retrofit, now road-approved, is the first of its kind in France and will allow Renault Trucks to evaluate the economic, environmental, and business viability of the process.
To comply with current regulations, the conversion process involved several stages: the mechanical conversion was followed by rigorous tests at UTAC, a Paris-based technical approval body. These tests included assessments of electromagnetic compatibility and thorough checks on the braking system’s conformity.
After technical approval, a comprehensive administrative dossier was submitted to the environmental agency, the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes DREAL. On 21 November 2024, Renault Trucks received approval for the electric retrofitted vehicle, marking a first in France. The entire conversion and homologation process took two years.
Photo credits @ Renault Trucks
The electric retrofitted truck, with a range of 250 km, will be used for frequent shuttle journeys between Extime’s warehouses and the airport, supporting the airport sector’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
This first electric retrofitted truck serves as a crucial ‘laboratory’ for Renault Trucks, enabling the company to evaluate the efficiency and productivity of the solution before potentially expanding the process.
“The use of this vehicle in real operational conditions will enable us validate the economic viability and robustness of the electric retrofit solution. This pilot project exemplifies our dedication to preserving natural resources while minimizing the environmental impact of vehicle usage. The truck perfectly embodies the circular economy approach that we champion at Renault Trucks,” explained Laurent Colpier, Vice President of Used Trucks and Urban Logistics at Renault Trucks.