Renault Trucks Germany has announced that from spring 2022, it will only be offering its Renault Trucks D Z.E. and Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E. distribution models as fully electric vehicles. The versions with diesel engines would then no longer be sold. This approach does not apply in other markets.
"We announce that we will discontinue the sale of 16-ton to 26-ton diesel trucks of the D and D Wide series on the German market and will rely entirely on electric vehicles. What does that mean in concrete terms? This means that all Renault Trucks D and D Wide that we will be selling on the German market from spring 2022 will be electric," said Frederic Ruesche, Managing Director of Renault Trucks Germany.
The fundamental rationale for the decision is the tried-and-true market maturity of e-trucks, which have been mass-produced since 2020, and the local marketing of such electric vehicles. In addition, the federal subsidy scheme for commercial vehicles with alternative drives gives up to 80% compensation for the increased expenses of an electric truck compared to a similar diesel truck. Despite the higher purchase costs, this incentive and the toll exemption for vehicles that operate locally emission-free make the total running expenses of an electric truck appealing to businesses.
Renault has mass-produced the Renault Trucks D Z.E. and Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E. electric models since the beginning of 2020. Electric trucks are used in Europe in urban and regional distribution traffic, municipal use, and light construction site traffic. Because of this market maturity and knowledge, Renault Trucks can restructure its distribution strategy in the German market and focus entirely on electric vehicles from now on.
"We're doing this because we're ready and because we can. We have the products: We have the 16-ton, 19-ton, and 26-ton electric truck, and we can cover most of the applications in urban distribution, regional distribution, and last-mile delivery," said Frederic Ruesche. "We have the most ambitious funding plan in Germany, and we have the trucks; we are ready. So the time is ripe: Let's switch to electric!".
The versions of the Renault Trucks D and D Wide ZE trucks that were previously equipped with lithium-ion battery packs with a capacity of 50 kWh can now be delivered with 66 kWh packs on request. Five different configurations with up to six battery packs are available. The Renault D ZE achieves the most excellent range: it has 400 kWh of battery capacity for 400 kilometers of range when fully equipped. The Renault Trucks D WIDE ZE is available with up to 265 kWh for 180 kilometers of autonomy. The charging power of both vehicles is 20 kW via A.C. and 150 kW at a D.C. connection.
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