The development of next-generation long-range electric trucks on a single charge has been a recent trend in the market, with different OEMs bringing new technology to the marketplace.
Renault Trucks has now announced that, from the second half of 2025, it will be taking orders for an extension of its Renault Trucks E-Tech T model that will come with a sizeable 600km range on a single charge.
Renault Trucks says it “opens up new prospects for the decarbonisation of long-haul transport” to operators.
The increased range of the Renault Trucks E-Tech T is achieved by integrating a new component, namely in the shape of an electric axle. E-axle technology enables all the elements of the powertrain – electric motors and transmission – to be grouped together at the rear of the vehicle.
This development frees up space between the side members so that they can accommodate additional battery packs. Renault Trucks E-Tech T equipped with e-axle can cover 600km on a single charge.
“The advent of this electric truck will boost the transition to electric mobility,” explains Emmanuel Duperray, senior vice president electromobility at Renault Trucks. “We believe that a range of 600km on a single charge, combined with the development of public charging infrastructure networks by 2026 – in particular through our joint venture Milence – will enable us to achieve the operational parity (with diesel technology) that our customers expect.”
Designed for long-haul transport, this Renault Trucks E-Tech T with an extended range will enhance the manufacturer‘s electric offering without replacing the current solutions it offers.
Renault Trucks says it will continue to offer a wide range of autonomies, configurations and equipment tailored to specific uses. In order to help hauliers find the ideal solution, Renault Trucks is also providing them with advanced simulation tools enabling each electric truck to be configured according to their specific needs.
The manufacturer was also keen to point out that customers will continue to find a wide portfolio of ranges, configurations and equipment. “We're not looking to enter a race for autonomy on a single charge,” stresses Duperray.
He adds: “Oversized batteries penalise the payload, raise total operating costs and increase the environmental footprint. In essence, an electric truck is more expensive than a combustion vehicle.
“We need to rethink low-carbon logistics: in other words, reconsider transport patterns to optimise the use of transport vehicles and therefore reduce the cost per kilometre.”
Renault Trucks states that it encourages its customers to adjust the size of the batteries according to their actual needs and provides support in optimising the solution, including the charging strategy. “This approach is already enabling us to achieve daily mileage of over 700 kilometres with our series production Renault Trucks E Tech T,” the company notes.
Orders for this new E-Tech T model with a 600km range will open in the second half of 2025, with production handled by the company’s Bourg-en-Bresse plant, which has been assembling the brand's high-end electric ranges since the end of 2023.
There is increasing competition in the long-distance electric market segment. Earlier last year, Volvo Trucks revealed it was upgrading its FH Electric so that it can do 600km. Daimler Truck has already presented the eActros 600 electric truck with a range of 500km. MAN, DAF and Iveco are also looking to grow their business in the long-distance electric segment with their eTruck, XF and S-eWay models, respectively.
