Paris, France: Renault Trucks and French logistics provider Geodis are combining their logistics and engineering expertise to design an electric heavy truck.
A prototype of the electric 16-tonne truck is expected by the end of 2022 with trials in Paris the following year. The objective is a vehicle that meets the requirements of city-centre freight transport at a cost comparable to that of a diesel vehicle.
The companies believe that vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will remain at the core of urban distribution.
Marie-Christine Lombard, chief executive, Geodis said: “The environmental emergency combined with the growth of E-commerce and the implementation of low-emission zones in major French cities mean that we urgently need to step up the decarbonisation of transport.
“This is the objective of Geodis in forming this partnership with Renault Trucks. We want to quickly provide concrete answers to the issue of sustainable urban logistics.”
Bruno Blin, president, Renault Trucks, said: “We have noticed that the image of the truck is changing; at last, it is being perceived as an indispensable tool. The purpose of the project, in which Renault Trucks is working alongside Geodis, is to design a truck that will seamlessly blend into the urban landscape, among other road users in areas with traffic and even in pedestrian zones. This new truck will be designed for the driver’s working comfort and safety, and for the safety of city dwellers.”
The new truck will integrate all the requirements and functions of city-centre delivery: eliminate pollution and noise, and improve active and passive safety for all road users, the companies say.
In the early phases of work, the following areas of focus were identified:
• Improved safety for the driver and the public thanks to a lowered cab giving the driver an excellent direct view for optimal protection of road users; a large windscreen and multiple cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, offering a 360° view; a sliding side door on the passenger side which eliminates the risk of the door opening into pedestrian areas.
• Greater comfort for the driver, who will be able to get out of the truck on either side, left or right. Climbing in and out of the truck will be made easier by a much lower access height than on a standard delivery truck.
• Optimal ergonomics and easier access to the cargo space. A specialist bodybuilder will develop an innovative body installation to improve loading/unloading operations in the urban environment.
• Connected tools enabling drivers to optimise their delivery operations and their routes.
• To ensure that this vehicle blends into the urban landscape perfectly and with a view to enhancing both the comfort and the self-esteem of the driver, Renault Trucks designers have completely redesigned both the exterior lines of the truck and the interior of the cab.
