Renault Trucks has commenced series production of its heavy-duty electric trucks, the Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C, at it Bourg-en-Bresse factory
Designed for regional distribution and urban construction, these electric vehicles are the latest additions to Renault Trucks’ comprehensive all-electric range, recognised as the broadest in the European market.
The Bourg-en-Bresse plant, operational since 1964, is now gearing up to produce the Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C models. These 44-tonne trucks cater specifically to regional distribution and urban construction needs, further enhancing the manufacturer’s extensive all-electric lineup, which has a notable presence in Europe, encompassing various urban and regional applications while promoting decarbonisation.
Renault Trucks has invested in adapting its industrial facilities and upskilling its workforce to accommodate the production of these electric trucks. Drawing on the experience gained from four years of manufacturing medium-duty electric trucks at its Blainville-sur-Orne plant, the company applies similar principles and best practices at Bourg-en-Bresse.
The E-Tech T and C models are assembled alongside their diesel counterparts and then moved to the dedicated Renault Trucks E-Tech Factory, covering 5,200sq-m, where specialised operators and technicians conduct electrification-specific operations, including assembly of the Electric Drive Unit (EDU) and installation of the transmission and batteries. Subsequently, the electric vehicles undergo performance tests and track trials to ensure reliability and quality before returning to the series production process.
The Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C are versatile, covering a wide range of urban construction and regional distribution applications, adaptable to various body styles through three types of power take-off (PTO): electric, electromechanical, or on the gearbox. With a gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes, these models are available in different configurations, including 4x2 and 6x2 tag axle tractor versions, with a long cab and a wheelbase of 3,900mm, as well as rigid configurations in 4x2, 6x2, and 8x4 tridem, offering a choice of eleven wheelbases ranging from 3,900 to 6,700 mm.
Equipped with two or three electric motors providing a combined power of up to 490kW (660hp), the E-Tech T and C can meet diverse customer needs in terms of range and activity. Battery options include four to six lithium-ion battery packs, offering between 390 and 540kWh of power, with recharging capabilities of up to 43kW on alternating current (AC) or up to 250kW on direct current (DC).
These trucks can travel up to 300km on a full charge, extendable to 500km with an intermediate fast charge lasting one hour for a vehicle fitted with six battery packs. The battery cells and modules are supplied by Samsung SDI and assembled in Ghent, Belgium, at a plant owned by the Volvo Group, of which Renault Trucks is a part.
