Renault Trucks has announced it has been granted homologation for an electric truck in France.
The first to be in the country to be awarded the certification; the vehicle set for operation is a 12-tonne Renault Trucks D, which was previously retrofitted to utilise all-new battery-electric technology at the end of 2023.
Following the homologation process, the vehicle is due to enter operation through Clovis Grand Paris, a Renault Trucks leasing partner, t0 Extime, an operator responsible for Paris Airport’s duty-free shopping outlets, and will be employed for frequent shuttle journeys between the operator’s warehouses and the airport.
Laurent Colpier, Vice President of Used Trucks and Urban Logistics at Renault Trucks, explained:The use of this vehicle in real operational conditions will enable us validate the economic viability and robustness of the electric retrofit solution. This pilot project exemplifies our dedication to preserving natural resources while minimizing the environmental impact of vehicle usage. The truck perfectly embodies the circular economy approach that we champion at Renault Trucks.
Initial conversion work in 2023 was carried out in collaboration with Novumtech and was made possible through financial backing from the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (Ademe).
Conversion was undertaken in accordance with current regulations, with a series of rigorous testing procedures conducted at UTAC, a technical approval body based in Paris.
Testing included electromagnetic compatibility assessments, as well as checks of the vehicle’s braking system.
In total, the conversion process has taken two years, with detailed assessment reports having been delivered to the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes DREAL environmental agency before the final approval was granted.
