At last week’s Solutrans trade show in Lyon, Renault Trucks finally pulled the wraps off what it had promised earlier as its spearhead for long-distance electric freight.
The new E-Tech T 780 and its payload-focused sibling, the E-Tech T 585, build upon the architecture developed by Volvo Trucks. The new trucks aim at convincing logistics firms that battery-electric trucking is ready to move beyond regional routes. And beyond diesel.
As a sister brand to Volvo Trucks, Renault Trucks shares its transitional zero-emission drivelines with the former to cut costs and spread the risk.
So the new E-Tech 780 shares its underpinnings and specifications with the 600 km FH Electric. But the French company charged ahead with a full reveal, whereas its Swedish counterpart has only teased its latest addition so far.
All-new platform
The badges E-Tech T 780 and E-Tech T 585 are not entirely new. But although they carry recognisability, these trucks share little with the brand’s earlier electric highway tractor. They launch an all-new platform that has been quietly developed inside the group for over four years.
The headline figure is the firm’s claim of a 600-kilometer driving distance for the T 780. The company stresses that this is not a theoretical limit but a commitment — a clear message in a segment where published numbers often leave room for interpretation.
So the Renault E-Tech (and the Volvo FH Electric) finds itself directly up against Mercedes-Benz’s eActros 600, which quotes 500 kilometers based on what Daimler Truck calls a “conservative calculation”.
MAN, on the other side, claims 750 kilometers for the eTGX as a 4×2 chassis box with six batteries, depending on circumstances. That’s right in the ballpark of the theoretical claims.
Two approaches
But back to Renault. The two E-Tech models take different approaches to capacity and weight. The T 780 carries eight battery packs for 780 kWh gross, while the T 585 uses six packs for a gross 585 kWh, reducing curb weight by roughly 1.2 tonnes and offering the higher payload of the pair.
Renault Trucks has opted to keep using nickel-rich NCA cells sourced from Samsung SDI, prioritising energy density. The trade-off is a larger gap between gross and usable energy compared with LFP chemistry.
More space from eAxle
Just like the Volvo FH Electric 600, both trucks adopt the newly developed e-axle that places motors and transmission inside the rear axle assembly. By freeing up space along the frame rails, engineers made room for the L-shaped battery modules that define the new layout.
The motors provide a peak output of 460 kW. Renault Trucks also fits a steerable and liftable rear axle to counter maneuverability concerns and help boost traction.
Charging capability is designed for tight schedules. Both trucks support megawatt charging up to 720 kW through an MCS connector, enabling rapid energy intake during a driver’s break.
CCS charging up to 350 kW is available for depot use. AC charging has been dropped altogether. Renault Trucks cites a 40-minute window for a 20–80 percent MCS charge.
The new platform does not replace the existing E-Tech T 540, which sees its own upgrade to 450 kilometers of range and retains AC charging and the older three-motor driveline.
Renault Trucks continues to position that model for regional duties, preserving the new architecture for long-haul companies focused on international logistics. First deliveries expected in early 2027.
