Electric trucks and alternative fuels: Renault Trucks answers all your questions

How far you can drive an electric truck on a single charge depends on several factors, including the specification and application of the truck, the load, distribution cycle, driving style, topography and weather conditions. For example, the operating range of a Renault Trucks E-Tech electric truck may reach up to 560km* but achieving this will depend on vehicle type and conditions of use. 

Rather than focusing on which electric truck will have the longest range, it always pays to specify the right vehicle with the right range for your application and not to carry more battery weight than you need. Our experts help you design the truck you need. 

When used correctly, regenerative braking can also help extend the range or reduce charging time by utilising the motor to convert kinetic energy during deceleration into electrical energy, which can be recovered into the battery to provide savings of 20%-40%.

*Based on 6 packs of 94kWh batteries for a Renault Trucks E-Tech D and distribution activities. 

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When you purchase an electric vehicle, you need to have confidence that it has the range and performance to do the job throughout its service life.

It starts with specifying the right vehicle with the right number of battery packs to suit your usage and route. Using a tool like Renault Trucks’ Range Simulator helps you calculate the expected range of your truck based on your model, application, environment, temperature and load percentage. For a personalised calculation, Renault Trucks’ experts will provide specific route calculations for your operation.

Batteries age throughout their service life, which is why Renault Trucks estimates battery capacity for its ‘end of life’, when storage capacity is only 80% of its initial capacity. This means that at the start of its life, the battery’s range is greater than required and, as it ages, the truck will always have the necessary energy stored to be able to complete its daily duties. By the way, daily duties are always calculated with 90% of theoretical energy, meaning that when the day is over, the battery should have 10% of battery left.

Renault Trucks guarantees the battery performance of its electric trucks with the industry’s only Battery Performance Commitment from 8 years for the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master (through OEM Warranty) to up to 10 years for the Renault Trucks E-Tech D & D Wide (through OEM Warranty and service contract).

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One of the first questions people ask is, how much does it cost to fully charge an electric truck? 

First, you need to understand how much energy you require and when and where you can charge your vehicles.  This starts with route planning and a site survey to assess the energy available on your site.

You will need to use the right charging infrastructure for your operation. Many back-to-base operations can be charged overnight using standard chargers. Fast charging is 7 times faster and can provide charging opportunities during drivers’ breaks to cover longer distance or multi-shift operations.  

In fact, switching to electric trucks may result in savings because you can better negotiate the price per kWh. Even if a large investment is required, we can estimate a 10% reduction including payment in instalments (transformer, distribution, chargers) and installation.

Renault Trucks offers tailored support and expert advice, and works in partnership with energy providers to ensure charging solutions reflect your immediate and ongoing needs.

Know more about installation and maintenance of charging infrastructures

For operators investigating alternative fuels for their fleet, many start with the question how much does an electric truck cost? 

Although an electric truck is more expensive to initially purchase than a diesel truck, electric trucks are economical to operate over the course of its life.  This is why it is important to consider the question around cost as a whole. 

Several factors are considered in total cost of ownership (TCO), including the purchase price, cost of energy, use, maintenance, resale value, finance and insurance. Renault Trucks Energy Transition specialists can help you to get a tailormade analysis of the TCO according to your activity.

Across the period of ownership, operating costs are lower for an electric truck - maintenance costs are lower (-30%) as electric motors are simpler to service, and the cost of energy is less than diesel. In some operations electric trucks can reach TCO parity with diesel trucks in a couple of years, and in many cases an electric vehicle is more competitive. 

Moreover, electric heavy commercial vehicles can be subjected to Governmental assistance. Our specialists can help you with the financing of your electric trucks fleet.

Discover the cost of electric trucks

When it comes to decarbonising your business, electric is the most viable option because it is available now, and the technology is advancing quickly.

Renault Trucks electric vehicles are already in service across Europe with customers.  Customers who order or test drive electric trucks know that the technology works, while drivers appreciate the quieter cab and smoother ride. 

Ever increasing battery range means that almost all applications will be possible in the near future with an electric truck, and at performance levels equivalent to a traditional diesel truck. 

Across all sectors, electric vehicles are becoming the new normal for cleaner, quieter transport and logistics.

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We cannot stop climate change without decarbonising road freight transport. For urban and semi-regional operations, electric vehicles are already the answer, but many people are asking if there are any electric heavy-duty trucks yet?

At Renault Trucks we are committed to accelerating the transition to net zero and are determined to meet the climate challenge by developing cleaner transport solutions to accompany our customers on their decarbonisation journey.

Today, Renault Trucks provides an electric vehicle for all uses, expanding its range of 100% electric trucks to include the Renault Trucks E-Tech T 44 tonne electric tractor unit and Renault Trucks E-Tech C dedicated respectively to regional transport and urban construction.  

To ensure an optimal long-haul performance, megachargers will be implemented progressively reaching 1,700 charging points in Europe in 2027.

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Today, half of the electric trucks we sell in Europe are produced at the Renault Trucks plant in Blainville-Sur-Orne, France. Here, our 16t and 26t Renault Trucks E-Tech D range are assembled on the same assembly line used for our diesel trucks. We designed our electric trucks based on our diesel vehicles so we can use the same tried and tested production processes to assemble the common parts.

All the dedicated electric parts are assembled in advance at a special unit before being taken to the assembly line.

From here, the electric trucks join a dedicated electric finishing line to mount the batteries and connect the 600v, and finally they are put on charge for their first test. In total, it takes around 50 hours to build an electric truck.

See how an electric truck is built

Switching to electric vehicles can help fight climate change, but are electric batteries really eco-friendly?  Renault Trucks works hard to limit the environmental impact of electric batteries. All measurements are made from cradle to grave to consider every stage of the battery life cycle.

Mineral extraction for battery production is carried out with the utmost respect for the environment and only uses suppliers that comply with international regulations.

We track all batteries that enter the market through performance monitoring and servicing to extend use.

Depending on the application and model, Renault Trucks guarantees its battery life for 2 to 8 years. Electric batteries can then be re-purposed after their first life ends, with opportunities for their second life lasting between 10-15 years.

Electric batteries can also be recycled: it’s an essential part of the decarbonisation process and extremely important for the circular economy. Components such as graphite, lithium, nickel are separated so they can be reused in production.

Discover the environmental impact of electric truck batteries

While hydrogen may eventually be part of the energy mix for transport services, Renault Trucks believes that electric power is the most efficient and reliable solution for most applications and does not see hydrogen trucks being widely used in the road haulage industry for at least ten years. 

There are also questions around hydrogen’s environmental credentials and costs. ‘Grey’ hydrogen is produced from fossil methane and emits 14% more CO₂ emissions than diesel. Eco-friendly alternatives ‘Blue’ and ‘Green’ hydrogen are substantially more expensive and will likely be used in industries like Steel, fertilisers or power plants.

Hydrogen fuel cells are the most technologically advanced solution, but are costly, requiring 3 times the amount of energy to cover the same distance as battery electric trucks.

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