A production version of the fourth-generation Renault Trafic made its public debut this week at the Solutrans trade show in Lyon, France.
First launched in 1980, the Trafic has been built in over 2.5 million units across three generations. The new Trafic Van E-Tech electric is part of Renault’s new generation of compact, all-electric light commercial vehicles.
Due to go on sale towards the end of 2026, the new Trafic Van E-Tech electric will come with the choice of two battery options: urban range or long range.
For high-mileage drivers, the long-range battery with NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) technology delivers the highest energy density for a maximum range of around 450km (WLTP). This battery will be available from launch.
For business users working primarily in the city, the urban range battery uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology with no rare metals such as cobalt or nickel, and has a claimed range of almost 350km (WLTP).This battery will be available at a later date.
All the cells will be produced in Europe, and the batteries assembled in France at the Sandouville plant.
The batteries also offer the new 800-volt fast-charging technology, with a DC fast charging point, Renault claims the battery charges from 15 to 80 per cent in around 20 minutes, recovering 260km in range.
With output of 1500kW and torque of 345Nm, it helps give the new Trafic Van E-Tech electric a towing capacity of two-tonnes and a payload of 1.25-tonnes (pending homologation).
The new Trafic Van E-Tech electric will also come as standard with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionalities.
Optimised dimensions
New Trafic Van E-Tech electric is built on a new all-electric ‘skateboard’ platform, designed to optimise load capacity in relation to footprint, with a minimal front overhang and rear-mounted powertrain. This also makes for a turning circle akin to the Clio (10.3 metres).
In its L1 body style, the new van offers load capacity of 5.1 m3 for a length of 4.87m and width of 1.92m. The L2 van has load capacity of 5.8 m3 for a length of 5.27m, with a wheelbase that is 40 cm longer. At the same time, overall height has been reduced to 1.90m, ensuring access to all underground car parks.
The van also has large doors for loading Euro pallets from the side or rear.
A modern cockpit
According to Renault, the cockpit features a “robust tube-shaped dashboard” running from one side of the cabin to the other. It features two screens: a 10-inch cluster and a 12-inch central screen angled towards the driver. The new Trafic also introduces a new generation OpenR multimedia system, while Google services, including Google Assistant and other features on Google Play, will also be available.
The seats are upholstered in a mix of Zeta blue-jean and grey fabric, with yellow stitching on the grey and white on the blue-jean.
High-tech design
Renault says the new Trafic Van E-Tech electric is a vehicle of modern design, with a short front overhang, generous wheelbase and aerodynamic, one-box bodystyle. It is also high-tech, with a front light strip expressing strong brand identity. An identity further underlined by the backlit logo with light guides angling out to the DRLs to create a cutting-edge light signature.
This light strip immediately draws the eye, while making the front end look wider. The headlights underneath are more discreet in design. The futuristic style of Trafic can also be seen in its visor-like windscreen, made up of the windscreen itself and the two side windows.
The Trafic Van E-Tech electric is also the first Renault LCV to feature a rear light signature. Sculpted in 3D, it comprises a double vertical line on either side of the asymmetrical swing doors. The conventional lighting functions are housed in a single block, also in relief, under the light signature.
Predictive maintenance
Renault promises an even more precise predictive maintenance system for its new Trafic, with the faster computing capacity and artificial intelligence of SDV architecture. It will be possible to track the wear of key components in real time via remote diagnostics, enabling repairs to be planned in advance, facilitating maintenance management, and allowing certain corrections to be made remotely.
This feature will be particularly useful for fleet managers, allowing them to optimise costs, vehicle uptime and availability.
More body types
The first in a new family of all-electric LCVs to arrive on the road in late 2026, the new Trafic Van E-Tech electric will be joined at a later date by the Trafic E-Tech chassis cab, platform cab, tipper, flatbed and cargo box.
