Renault Trucks secures approval for France’s first electric retrofit truck

Renault Trucks has achieved its first-ever approval in France for an electric retrofit truck. This pioneering vehicle, a 12-ton Renault Truck D, previously powered by a diesel engine, has been converted into a battery-electric truck. The retrofit truck will be leased for several years to Extime, the operator of duty-free stores at Paris Airport.

Retrofitting diesel trucks is considered a cost-saving measure for prolonging a vehicle’s lifecycle while making it compliant with emission regulations or low-emission zones.

In late 2023, Renault Trucks started a collaboration with battery specialist Novumtech as a first trial project, backed by financial support from ADEME (France’s Environment and Energy Management Agency).

The aim was to evaluate the economic, environmental, and business feasibility of retrofitting while awaiting the official procedure of type approval – an essential hurdle for adoption. But now, the first retrofit has been certified for road use, setting a precedent in the French market.

Certification: a rigorous process

Transforming the diesel truck into an electric vehicle required multiple modifications to comply with stringent regulations. After replacing the diesel engine with an electric motor, the vehicle underwent rigorous testing at UTAC, a Paris-based technical certification agency.

These tests included electromagnetic compatibility checks in line with ruling standards (R100) and evaluations of braking system compliance.

Following successful technical validation, Renault Trucks submitted a comprehensive dossier to the French Regional Environment and Safety Authority DREAL. Having received the retrofit truck approval, Renault Trucks has become the first manufacturer in France to certify an electric retrofit vehicle for road use. The entire process took two years to complete.

Purpose-built for Paris Aéroport

The retrofitted electric truck is tailored for a specific use case. Leased by Clovis Grand Paris, a subsidiary of Renault Trucks, the vehicle will transport goods between Extime’s warehouses and Paris Airport Charles De Gaulle. With a range of 250 kilometers, the truck is ideal for short-haul logistics while aligning with the aviation sector’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

This retrofit truck serves as a ‘laboratory’ for Renault Trucks, enabling the company to assess the effectiveness and scalability of electric retrofitting. “Using this vehicle in real-world operations allows us to validate the economic viability and robustness of our electric retrofit solution,” said Laurent Colpier, Vice President of Used Trucks and Urban Logistics at Renault Trucks.

Economic and environmental advantages

In addition to environmental benefits, retrofitted electric trucks offer cost advantages. The estimated purchase cost of a retrofitted truck is up to 15% lower than that of a new electric vehicle. This affordability, combined with the sustainability focus, makes retrofitting a worthwhile option for businesses aiming to reduce emissions while reducing upfront costs.