The project was a joint effort with Novumtech, a startup focused on battery development and manufacturing. The initiative received financial backing from the French Environment and Energy Agency, ADEME.
In retrofitting the Renault Truck D into an electric version, only essential components were changed: the engine, transmission, fuel tank, and AdBlue tank. Also removed were elements tied to the internal combustion engine, such as the hydraulic pump for power steering, the air compressor for suspension and brakes, and the air conditioning compressor. These were replaced with an electric motor linked to the drive shaft, a 210 kWh lithium-ion battery, a 22 kW onboard charger, an electric air compressor for brakes and suspension, an electric hydraulic pump for steering, an electric air conditioner, and an electric cabin heater.
The work took place at the CampX facility by Volvo Group, located at Renault Trucks' Lyon site. CampX aims to fast-track tech and business innovations by fostering collaboration between Renault Trucks staff, specifically the Lyon engineering team, and startups.
The upcoming stage involves registering the revamped truck to align with current laws. After gaining approval, Renault Trucks plans to initiate a test run in real-world conditions, partnering with Clovis Grand Paris.
Circularity is indeed one of Renault Truck's strategic areas of focus in order to decarbonise freight transport. The industrial activities of the manufacturer, which is committed to extending the lifespan of the vehicles it produces, are part of a circular economy approach based on three pillars, namely regenerate, repurpose and reuse.
Under this approach, Renault Trucks has introduced a number of initiatives, including doubling the life of trucks for hauliers by encouraging reconditioning rather than renewal. Moreover, the manufacturer offers a second life to its used trucks through repurposing, using rigorous industrial processes. To date, more than 1,500 trucks have been repurposed at the Used Trucks Factory in Bourg-en-Bresse and 700 have been reconditioned at the Used Trucks Centre in Lyon, saving over 5,000 tonnes of CO2.
Source: Renault Trucks