The new all-electric Renault Trafic E-Tech van will go into production late next year alongside the existing diesel-powered Trafic.
It rides on a new skateboard platform with a completely distinct monobox body featuring a short front overhang and clean, boxy lines.
Inside, the dashboard has a 10.0-inch instrumentation display, and a large 12.0-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. The cabin accommodates up to three seats, which can be upholstered in a mix of grey and blue jeans-style fabric with yellow stitching.
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There’s a plethora of open storage areas, including a document holder under the infotainment screen, two levels of door bins, a deep shelf on the passenger’s side, and a series of divided trays between the dashboard and windscreen.
With one central computer controlling all of the car’s functions, the Trafic E-Tech is Renault’s first vehicle to be classed as a software-defined vehicle.
Over-the-air software updates can be used to provide new features, while wireless connectivity allows for remote diagnostics, keeping tabs on component wear, location tracking and predictive maintenance. In vans equipped with the openR infotainment system, drivers can log in via a QR code instead of third-party equipment.
The Trafic E-Tech van will be available in two sizes, with the smaller L1 measuring 4.87m long and offering 5100L of storage space. The larger L2 is 5.27m long, has a 400mm longer wheelbase, and a 5800L cargo area.
Both versions of the van are 1.92m wide, and 1.9m tall. There are barn darns at the back, sliding doors on the side, and the cargo bay can accommodate Euro pallets.
At launch the Trafic E-Tech will be powered exclusively by a rear-mounted electric motor making 150kW and 345Nm, and driving the rear wheels. It’s hooked up to a NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) battery, with an expected range rating of around 450km under the WLTP testing cycle.
Later on a city variant will be offered with a smaller capacity battery using a LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry containing no rare earth metals, and said to have a range just shy of 350km.
Both battery configurations best other electric vans, such as the LDV eDeliver 9 (280km), Ford e-Transit (308km), and Ford e-Transit Custom (307km).
The Trafic E-Tech has an 800V electric architecture, which Renault claims allows a DC fast charger to bring the battery from 15 to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes.
Production of the Trafic E-Tech will begin in late 2026 at Renault’s plant in Sandouville, just outside Le Havre on the English Channel. The factory currently makes the combustion-powered Trafic, which will continue alongside its electric cousin.
The Trafic E-Tech will eventually be available in cab chassis, platform cab, tipper, flatbed, and cargo box configurations. It can also be customised and converted by Renault’s Qstomize division.
With the van’s production not due to start for another year, pricing and specifications have yet to announced. Australian availability has yet to be confirmed.
