Six months after unveiling a new generation of compact, all-electric LCVs in Birmingham, Renault is presenting the production version of the first member of this new family: new Trafic Van E-Tech electric.
First launched in 1980, Trafic has been built in over 2.5 million units across three generations. Its name has become synonymous with success on the medium LCV market. Building on this heritage, the fourth generation all-electric model marks a revolutionary change.
New Trafic Van E-Tech electric is built on a new all-electric “skateboard” platform, designed to optimise load capacity in relation to footprint, with a minimal front overhang and rear-mounted powertrain. This also makes for a turning circle as small as on Clio (10.3 metres). Looking beyond eco-responsibility, the most important factors for easy urban use are compact dimensions and agility.
In its L1 body style, the new van offers load capacity of 5.1 m3 for a length of 4.87m and width of 1.92m. The L2 van has load capacity of 5.8 m3 for a length of 5.27m, with a wheelbase that is 40 cm longer. At the same time, overall height has been reduced to 1.90m, ensuring access to all underground car parks.
The van also has large doors for loading Euro pallets from the side or rear.
Built in France at the Renault Group Sandouville plant, Trafic Van E-Tech will arrive on the roads in late 2026.
Modern, high-tech, futuristic design
New Trafic Van E-Tech electric is a vehicle of modern design, with a short front overhang, generous wheelbase and aerodynamic, one-box bodystyle. It is also high-tech, with a front light strip expressing strong brand identity. An identity further underlined by the backlit logo with light guides angling out to the DRLs to create a cutting-edge light signature. This light strip immediately draws the eye, while making the front end look wider. The headlights underneath are more discreet in design.
The futuristic style of Trafic can also be seen in its visor-like windscreen, made up of the windscreen itself and the two side windows.
Beautiful in black
Trafic Van E-Tech electric strikes a balance in its modern proportions, and also in its appearance, with some areas being body-coloured and others black to express the robust strength expected of an LCV.
The front bumper comprises a large section with a black grained finish. Each constituent part was the focus of extensive design work, in order to showcase the overall appearance while avoiding a bulky look. The black grained plastic of the lower bumper section features a laser pattern, similar to Scenic E-Tech electric. This attention to finish is a signature of the new Renault design language.
At the front, the body-coloured area appears to float between two black sections: the strip with the light signature and the bumper.
At the side, the lower body protection in black grained plastic illustrates the vehicle’s robust strength and ability to face the day-to-day challenges of business use. At the same time, the laser pattern demonstrates the real focus on design. A beltline of original design adds a dynamic touch to the side panels. With its seemingly random breaks, it creates an impression of movement and energy, even when the van is stationary.
Top rear, the aerodynamic feature is also in black grained plastic, as is the lower section of the bumper, again with the same pattern of lines and grooves.
Trafic Van E-Tech electric is also the first brand LCV to feature a rear light signature. Sculpted in 3D, it comprises a double vertical line on either side of the asymmetrical swing doors. The conventional lighting functions are housed in a single block, also in relief, under the light signature.
In the same way as on Renault passenger vehicles, the logo is placed directly on the body, on the right-hand rear door. The Trafic badge on the left shows the new lettering adopted for brand LCVs.
A modern cockpit of disruptive design
As part of a disruptive approach to design, the cockpit features a robust tube-shaped dashboard running from one side of the cabin to the other. While the tubular shape is timeless, the dashboard is also eminently modern with two screens: a 10” cluster and a 12” central screen angled towards the driver.
The seats are upholstered in a mix of Zeta blue-jean and grey fabric, with yellow stitching on the grey and white on the blue-jean.
Generous storage capacity
Storage is a key part of the driving experience for business users, and Trafic Van E-Tech electric meets this need with an array of ingenious, generously sized compartments. As well as a closed glovebox, the cockpit includes a number of open but sufficiently partitioned compartments: three cupholders and a document holder under the central screen, three storage areas behind the instrument cluster, two small cubbies on either side of the steering wheel, a deep shelf under the ‘tube’ on the passenger side, and two levels of storage in the doors, the highest for small items and the lowest for bulky objects, such as bottles of water.
Behind the dashboard, between the ‘tube’ and the base of the windscreen, a vast area is provided for the secure storage of all sorts of objects, such as a notebook, a jacket or a pad. Reflecting the vehicle’s durability, this area, which is visible from both the outside and inside, is composed of 50% plant matter (fibres).
Eco-design
On Trafic Van E-Tech electric, Renault is aiming to include over 23% of recycled materials (including the battery), close to the level achieved with our best electric vehicles (e.g. 26% on R4 E-Tech electric). This goal is in line with the strategy of Renault Group to include 33% of recycled materials by weight in its vehicles by 2030.
For plastic, specifically, the vehicle should include over 15% of recycled plastics (> 40kg), confirming Renault’s position as a leader in this field, well above the market average of 9%. The upholstery includes 50% recycled Twi-jeans fabric
A solution for every purpose: Two battery options
For optimum flexibility in use, Trafic Van E-Tech Electric ships with a choice of two battery solutions: urban range or long range.
For high-mileage drivers, the long-range battery with NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) technology delivers the highest energy density for a maximum range of around 450 km WLTP. This battery will be available from launch.
For business users working primarily in the city, the urban range battery uses LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology with no rare metals such as cobalt or nickel. This model combines a competitive price with a range of almost 350 km WLTP (on Trafic), which is sufficient for many business users. This battery will be available at a later date.
All the cells will be produced in Europe, and the batteries assembled in France at the Sandouville plant.
Ultra-fast charging with 800V technology
Alongside their versatile range, the batteries also offer the new 800V fast-charging technology. A first for Renault, this feature makes everyday organisation easier for business users. With a DC fast charging point, the battery charges from 15% to 80% in around 20 minutes, recovering 260 km in range.
A new-generation electric motor
With output of 150 kW and torque of 345 Nm, the new electric motor developed in Europe is particularly efficient. With its powerful motor and robust platform, new Trafic Van E-Tech electric has a towing capacity of 2 tonnes and a payload of 1.25 tonnes (pending homologation).
V2X functionalities
New Trafic Van E-Tech electric will ship with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionalities. This means that it will be able to charge external appliances (V2L, from the vehicle to an electrical device) from a port in the charging area of the cab or via an adapter that can be plugged in to connect appliances such as tooling or a laptop. It will also be able to feed energy from the battery to the grid (V2G functionality), with its bi-directional charger.
Made in Sandouville and Converted By Renault
Trafic Van E-Tech Electric will be built in France, at the Renault Group plant in Sandouville, alongside the existing Trafic ICE, which is continuing its market career. Sandouville will also build a number of the conversions most frequently requested by customers on site, some of which will be managed by Qstomize, the Renault subsidiary specialising in LCV customisation and conversion, in a building adjacent to the main plant.
Whatever the format – chassis cab, platform cab, tipper, flatbed or cargo box – new Renault Trafic Van E-Tech electric will combine fast production times with strict cost management and the manufacturer’s guarantee of quality.
For bespoke projects, customers will be able to call on the expertise of the 300 Renault Pro+ approved partner bodybuilders.
Increased safety
With its ‘human first programme’ launched in 2023, Renault is affirming its commitment to improving safety for drivers and passengers, as well as other road users around the world, through several technological advances.
To improve driving behaviour and increase safety, Trafic ships with the onboard Safety Coach. Using the vehicle’s sensors as well as artificial intelligence, it assesses the risks faced by the driver, taking account of vehicle speed, safety distances, lane keeping, lane changes and vigilance.
Using the data collected, the system gives the driver a score out of 100 (Safety Score) at the end of each journey, along with personalised tips, depending on the results.
At the same time, the Safety Monitor function displays a real-time measure of driving behaviour directly on the dashboard.
