Engineering:Renault Estafette E-Tech
| Renault Estafette E-Tech | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Renault |
| Production | 2026–present |
| Assembly | Sandouville, France |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Light commercial vehicle |
| Body style | Van |
| Layout | Rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | Renault Group RGEV |
| Related | Renault Trafic Van E-Tech electric Renault Goelette E-Tech |
| Powertrain | |
| Electric motor | Electric motor |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Battery | LFP or NMC |
| Electric range | Up to approximately 450 km (WLTP) |
| Plug-in charging | 800 V DC fast charging |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 5,270 mm |
| Width | 1,920 mm |
| Height | 2,600 mm |
The Renault Estafette E-Tech is a battery-electric light commercial vehicle manufactured by Renault. It was introduced in 2025 as part of a new family of electric commercial vehicles developed through Flexis, alongside the Renault Trafic Van E-Tech electric and Renault Goelette E-Tech. The Estafette is designed primarily for urban commercial use and combines a relatively compact footprint with a tall body and a large cargo compartment.[1]
The vehicle takes its name from the Renault Estafette, a light commercial vehicle produced by Renault from 1959 to 1980. The modern model is an electric vehicle based on a new architecture and is intended for a different generation of commercial applications.
Development
The Estafette E-Tech electric was developed as part of a new generation of electric light commercial vehicles associated with Flexis, an independent company established by Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM. The three vehicles were developed around a dedicated electric "skateboard" architecture and Renault Group's software-defined vehicle architecture.[1]
A concept version, known as the Renault Estafette Concept, was presented in September 2024. It was developed as a study of a compact electric van intended for urban delivery and professional use. The concept was based on the FlexEVan platform developed by Ampere.[2]
The production-oriented Estafette E-Tech electric was announced in February 2025 together with the Goelette and fourth-generation Trafic. Renault stated that the three vehicles would be produced in France and introduced from 2026.[1]
Design
The Estafette E-Tech electric uses a tall, cab-forward body designed for operation in urban environments. It measures 5.27 metres in length, 1.92 metres in width and 2.60 metres in height.[1]
The vehicle is based on the long-wheelbase version of the same general electric architecture used by the Trafic and Goelette. Unlike the lower Trafic, the Estafette uses a significantly taller body, allowing a person up to approximately 1.90 metres tall to move between the driver's compartment and the cargo area while standing.[1]
The front features a large three-piece panoramic windscreen. The design incorporates a horizontal lighting element with integrated daytime running lights and a centrally positioned Renault badge.[1]
A sliding side door is fitted with an integrated track designed to leave the side of the vehicle relatively unobstructed. Running boards on both sides provide access to the cabin and cargo compartment. At the rear, a single-piece roller shutter is used to provide access to the cargo area.[1]
Interior and cargo area
The tall body provides a cargo volume of approximately 9.2 m³. The interior is designed to allow movement between the cockpit and loading area, a feature intended to facilitate repeated deliveries in urban environments.[1]
The vehicle's proportions were developed around the requirements of professional drivers. Renault's development programme emphasized visibility, access to the cargo compartment and manoeuvrability in narrow urban streets.[2]
Powertrain and battery
The Estafette E-Tech electric uses a rear-mounted electric motor. The motor produces up to 150 kW (204 hp) and 345 N⋅m of torque.[3]
Two battery technologies are offered across the Trafic, Goelette and Estafette range. The standard-range battery uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, while the long-range battery uses nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) chemistry. Renault gives a projected range of approximately 350 km WLTP for the standard-range configuration and approximately 450 km for the long-range configuration, depending on model and configuration.[3]
The vehicles use an 800-volt electrical architecture. Renault states that DC fast charging from 15% to 80% can be completed in less than 20 minutes under suitable conditions.[3]
Software and electrical architecture
The Estafette E-Tech electric uses a software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture developed around technology from Ampere. The architecture centralizes vehicle computing and allows software functions to be updated during the vehicle's operating life.[3]
The vehicle also supports vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functions. V2L allows electrical equipment to be powered using energy from the vehicle's battery, while V2G enables bidirectional interaction with the electrical grid where supported.[3]
Production
The Estafette E-Tech electric is produced at Renault Group's Sandouville plant in Normandy, France. The plant is also responsible for production of other vehicles in Renault's new electric light-commercial-vehicle programme.[1]
Name
The name Estafette was previously used by Renault for a light commercial vehicle introduced in 1959. The original Estafette was notable for its front-wheel drive layout and was produced in several body configurations until production ended in 1980. More than 500,000 examples were produced during its production run.[3]
The modern Estafette E-Tech electric references the earlier vehicle through its name and its intended role as a compact commercial van, while using a battery-electric powertrain and a modern electric vehicle architecture.
See also
- Renault Estafette
- Renault Trafic
- Renault Goelette
- Renault Kangoo
- Electric van
- Electric vehicle
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 "Renault presents a new era in electric LCVs, with Estafette, Goelette and Trafic". Renault. 10 February 2025. https://media.renault.com/renault-presents-a-new-era-in-electric-lcvs-with-estafette-goelette-and-trafic/?lang=eng.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Renault Estafette Concept: the electric van inspired by cities and the professionals who work in them". Renault. 4 September 2024. https://media.renault.com/renault-estafette-concept-the-electric-van-inspired-by-cities-and-the-professionals-who-work-in-them/?lang=eng.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Rethinking the way we perceive, design and use electric LCVs with Renault Trafic, Goelette and Estafette". Renault. 29 April 2025. https://media.renault.com/rethinking-the-way-we-perceive-design-and-use-electric-lcvs-with-renault-trafic-goelette-and-estafette/?lang=eng.
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