Renault Trucks is deliberately positioning its battery electric E-Tech range of vans as the ideal transport for the trades. We speak to the company’s Head of LCV, Grahame Neagus to find out why.
The objections to electric are well trodden and still directed by that invisible back seat driver that invariably directs the prospective purchaser towards diesel – namely range anxiety. It is, however, an apprehension that Grahame Neagus is eager to dispel. “Most SME contractors don’t actually travel that far,” he explains, “and there is a lot of research to suggest that drivers routinely over-estimate their annual mileage.”
A typical tradies’ day might start with a trip to a local builders’ merchants. It’s then onto the job where the van could well be parked up for several hours. There might be a trip out to lunch, a drive to another on-going project or to quote for a new client. “With the range available from the E-Tech Trafic up to 297kms and on our new Master up to 460kms in real use conditions on the former, for example that driving pattern puts these vans will within the scope of most tradespeople. At the same time, with E-Tech, there’s no difference in cargo carrying capacity, size, volume and payload when compared to an internal combustion engine equivalent.”
Another familiar accusation is inadequate charging infrastructure but here again Renault Trucks’ Head of LCV can counter that claim. “There have been significant improvements to public charging facilities in recent years but, even if that had not been the case, if you use your electric van in the same way, you do a diesel, it needn’t present a barrier. Most of the time you’ll be charging the vehicle at home and, if you’re doing that at night on a favourable energy tariff, that’s going to be considerably cheaper than filling up at the pumps. Add to that an exemption from the low emission zones that are fast becoming ubiquitous in our towns and cities and the proposition starts to become compelling.”
This brings us to the fundamental shift in mindset that should encourage the shrewd business owner to join the charge towards electric – and that is total cost of ownership. It’s not just about calculations on electric versus diesel as a fuel source either because, with a greatly reduced level of moving parts, maintenance is significantly reduced.
It is, of course, still the case that the initial purchase price of battery electric vehicles remains higher but there is help on hand here as well. The Plug-In Van Grant (PIVG) was due to end in March 2025 but was extended in October’s budget until March 2026. That will shave up to £5,000 of the purchase price. In addition, with government driving manufacturers towards year-on-year increases in EV registrations, the retail price will inevitably become more appealing over time.
Residual value
If you’re worried about residuals, then leasing is a sound financial option, giving you the option to buy after three years or simply opt for another new vehicle. “Over time we are getting much better data on what the residual value of electric vehicles will be. What we are finding is that levels of battery degradation are quite low, and we offer an 8-year guarantee on our lithium-ion units. Nonetheless, we are actively seeking to remove any of the perceived risk from our customers through a range of purchasing plans.” Renault Trucks Financial Services does, in fact, provide a whole portfolio of solutions adapted to individual needs, including the current 0% finance offer. There’s the provision of a free home charger with some finance packages. Fuel cards preloaded with funds are available on contract hire agreements and the Start&Drive Excellence scheme adds preventative maintenance, wear and tear parts, repairs and recovery.
Indeed, as the name suggests Renault Trucks is a HGV brand – and that necessitates an enhanced level of dealer service. For the hauliers operating fleets of large commercial vehicles downtime is simply not an option. What that demands is a 24/7 workshop and aftersales availability. Why, you might ask, does that matter to the local jobbing builder? Because if you’ve bought a Trafic or a Master from Renault Trucks that immediately opens up a heavy truck level of accessibility and support.
The trusty workhorse
A tradesperson’s trusty workhorse is a tool carrier, mobile workforce and office, and if you’re without it you simply cannot function. Need routine maintenance on your van but you promised Mrs Jones you’d have her kitchen finished before the weekend? That’s no problem. Simply drop it off in the evening and, because the industrious team at Renault Trucks are occupied all through the night, it can be ready for you at the start of the next day. They’ll even throw in a courtesy van into the bargain.
“We’ve translated everything we successfully do with trucks to our LCV customers,” enthuses Grahame, “and that includes our Vantelligence telematics system. Through it even small fleet operators – say a construction company with a few vans on the road – can keep track of the location of their vans, how its being driven, as well as a whole range of other parameters.”
A further Renault Trucks innovation and one that is available on both electric and diesel variants – will immediately resonate with the readers of Professional Builder. The Trafic can be specified with a formidable defence against thieves. The whole package consists of a Cat 1 alarm, fully lined interior and floor, internal security system and fully sealed steel mesh internal door system with an internal five-point locking mechanism. “We’ve got a very insightful video where we asked an ex-bodybuilder to run amok at the internal steel door and he hardly made any impression on it,” continues Grahame.
The builder-friendly features don’t stop there either because an auxiliary electric package is available on E-Tech models. Here a 5kW lithium-ion battery can run and recharge power tools from sockets in the vehicle.
For further information on the Renault Trucks E-Tech range visit Renault Trucks Trafic E-Tech | 300km Electric Range | Renault Trucks UK.
