Renault Trafic E-Tech

The Renault Trafic E-Tech is a battery electric light commercial vehicle manufactured by Renault. It is the fourth-generation Renault Trafic and is based on Renault Group's dedicated electric platform known as the RGEV medium van platform. The vehicle is produced at the Sandouville plant in France and forms part of a new family of electric commercial vehicles developed through Flexis, alongside the Renault Goelette and Renault Estafette.

The production version was presented in 2026, with the panel van scheduled to become available toward the end of the year. Chassis-cab and crew-cab versions are planned to join the range in 2027.

Development and launch

The fourth-generation Trafic was developed as part of a new generation of electric light commercial vehicles created by Flexis, a company established by Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM. The vehicles use a skateboard-type electric architecture developed around Ampere's software-defined vehicle technology.

The Trafic, Goelette and Estafette share the same basic electric architecture but use different body configurations and are intended for different commercial applications. The architecture places the electric motor at the rear and the battery beneath the floor, allowing a relatively short front overhang and a flat loading floor.

In September 2026, Renault presented the Trafic Van E-Tech electric at the IAA Transportation show in Hanover. The company announced that the panel van would become available toward the end of 2026, with additional chassis-cab and crew-cab derivatives planned for 2027.

Design

The new Trafic uses a more compact exterior footprint than the third-generation model. In the L1 configuration it measures 4.87 metres in length, 1.90 metres in width and 1.89 metres in height. An L2 version with a length of 5.27 metres is also available, while both versions use the H1 roof height.

The reduced height allows the vehicle to access standard underground car parks. The rear-mounted electric motor and the positioning of the battery in the underbody also contribute to the vehicle's low centre of gravity.

The vehicle has a claimed turning circle of 10.3 metres. Renault describes this as comparable to that of the Renault Clio, while the layout is intended to improve manoeuvrability in urban environments.

Powertrain and battery

The Trafic Van E-Tech electric uses a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW (201 hp).

Renault has announced an 81 kWh battery for the long-range version, with a projected range of more than 470 km under the WLTP cycle, pending final homologation. In urban use, Renault gives a projected range of up to approximately 690 km.

The vehicle uses an 800-volt electrical architecture. Renault states that the battery can recover up to 280 km of range in approximately 20 minutes of DC fast charging, with up to 380 km of additional urban range under the same conditions.

Interior and equipment

The cabin incorporates a digital instrument display and a centrally mounted 12-inch touchscreen. The driving position and visibility were revised compared with the previous generation, with Renault focusing on improving visibility to the front and sides.

The vehicle uses a software-defined vehicle architecture developed around two central computing units. According to Renault, this reduces the number of electronic control units from approximately 80 to two supercomputers and permits software updates and additional functions during the vehicle's service life.

Commercial versions

The initial version is a panel van offered in L1 and L2 lengths. Renault has stated that chassis-cab and crew-cab versions will be added in 2027.

The load compartment provides up to 5.8 m³ of usable volume and a payload of up to approximately 1.3 tonnes. The vehicle can accommodate up to three Euro pallets and has a loading height of 53 cm.

The vehicle is also equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing external electrical equipment to be powered from the vehicle. Renault has announced an electric power take-off system for certain conversions, intended for applications such as refrigeration equipment and specialist vehicles.

Production

Production takes place at Renault's Sandouville plant in Normandy, France. The facility has historically produced the Trafic and is being used for the manufacture of the new generation of electric commercial vehicles.

Reception

In September 2026, automotive publication Caradisiac conducted an early road test of the Trafic E-Tech electric near Renault's Guyancourt technical centre. The test was conducted for members of the International Van of the Year jury.

The publication noted the vehicle's compact dimensions, driving position, panoramic visibility and manoeuvrability. It also reported positive first impressions of the vehicle's road stability and ride comfort. The 150 kW motor was considered sufficient for normal use, although the short test did not allow its efficiency to be independently assessed.