Renault Trucks launches first electric construction vehicle
Manufacturer Renault Trucks has produced its first electric truck dedicated to construction with zero emissions in use.
Plant hire specialist, the Noblet Group, which has energy transition targets, is set to take delivery of the first D Wide Z.E. fitted with JOCQUIN tipper body and HIAB X HiPro 142-E crane. The pure electric 26-tonne truck has a steered rear axle equipped with a pack of four 66 kWh batteries. The vehicle is ideally suited to construction operations in urban and suburban environments with a low noise and zero tailpipe emissions.
On construction sites, the crane and tipping gear, which require the engine to be kept running, will be operated without CO2 emissions or noise, improving worker comfort and the quality of life of local residents. The Renault Trucks Z.E. range vehicles also meet the environmental requirements of operating in urban areas with restricted traffic regulations.
The Noblet Group chose a D Wide Z.E. equipped with four 66kWh battery packs, which can be recharged in less than 10 hours from a 22 kW socket, and in less than 2 hours with a 150kW rapid charger.
The vehicle, which will be used in the Greater Paris region, can be recharged near the operational sites or at a few stations in Paris that are suitable for commercial vehicles. For example, a one-hour partial recharge (22 kW) will provide an additional 15 to 20 km.
Laurent Galle, CEO of Noblet, said: “Some clients in certain cities in the Paris region, for specific worksites, will be ready to pay more for equipment that is mainly carbon-free and, above all, silent.”
Andrew Scott, Head of Electromobility for Renault Trucks in the UK and Ireland, said: “Recent changes to the Plug-in Vehicle Grant by the UK Government fail to recognise the key part incentives can play in increasing the uptake in electric vehicles.
“If we want to see electric vehicles adopted in sectors such as construction, it will be critical that we have the support of Government in properly valuing the benefits which fully electric vehicles can bring to our city streets.”
