That means that, from 2023, an all-electric Renault Trucks offer will be available for each segment. To support these developments, the company is setting up an organisation dedicated to electric mobility.
Plus, in the second half of the decade, Renault Trucks will be able to offer a range of electric trucks powered by hydrogen fuel cells, mainly for demanding and heavy long-haul operations.
In March 2020, Renault Trucks began series production of its second generation of electric vehicles at the Blainville-sur-Orne plant. Now Renault Trucks’ all-electric models range from 3.1 to 26 tonnes, comprising the Renault Trucks Master Z.E., D Z.E. and D Wide Z.E. They meet the needs of urban transport, delivery, distribution and waste collection.
To help meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, Renault Trucks is committed to transforming the truck market by gradually electrifying its fleet to become carbon-neutral within 30 years.
As trucks have a lifespan of at least ten years, all trucks manufactured by 2040 must run without fossil fuels. Battery-electric and fuel cell electric power will be crucial to achieve this major transformation towards carbon-free transport.
"Electric mobility is the pillar of our strategy and we aim to lead the field," announced Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks. "We're aiming for 35% of our sales to be electric in 2030. By 2040, all our vehicle ranges will be 100% fossil-free."
To achieve these goals, Renault Trucks is backed by dedicated units, both in research and development and in the sales and after-sales organisation.
On the R&D side, Renault Trucks intends to meet the main technological challenges of this revolution through strategic partnerships, as well as relying on synergies within the Volvo Group, to which it belongs, to increase volumes and reduce costs.
To ensure hauliers get the best solutions in electric mobility, Renault Trucks will benefit from the work carried out by the Volvo Group's new development unit dedicated to medium-tonnage vehicles, a core segment for the phased introduction of electromobility for trucks. Renault Trucks will also capitalise on the partnerships developed by Volvo Energy, the Volvo Group's new entity dedicated to the supply, second life and recycling of batteries, as well as to charging solutions. As for the development of battery packs specifically for heavy goods vehicle applications, it will benefit from the strategic alliance formed by the Volvo Group and Samsung SDI.
To facilitate this sustainable transition, Renault Trucks will also have the support of its new R&D centre in Lyon – the X-Tech Arena - which will be built by the beginning of 2023 with an investment of €33 million.
As regards the marketing of its Z.E. range and customer support, Renault Trucks has set up a new entity responsible for electric mobility projects. This team is working to develop partnerships involving all the stakeholders (hauliers, distributors, public authorities and energy suppliers).
In addition, Renault Trucks also offers additional services for batteries, solutions for installing charging facilities on its customers' premises, energy optimisation, repair and maintenance, financing and insurance.