Through a new partnership, Renault Trucks and GEODIS are combining their know-how to develop an all-new 16-tonne electric truck for urban transport, with a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) comparable to that of a diesel vehicle.
– The environmental crisis, combined with the growth of e-commerce and the introduction of low-emission zones in major French cities, means we must urgently accelerate the decarbonization of transport. This is the goal of GEODIS that led to the partnership with Renault Trucks. We want to quickly provide concrete answers to the question of sustainable urban logistics – says Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO of GEODIS.
Thanks to collaboration from the design stage, this vehicle (project name: Oxygen) will allow for the integration of all requirements and functions related to city center deliveries: the elimination of inconveniences such as pollution and noise, and the improvement of active and passive safety for better coexistence with all road users (pedestrians and those using “soft” modes of transport).
The project includes:
- Increased safety for the driver and pedestrians thanks to a lowered cab, providing the driver with excellent visibility, which allows for optimal protection of road users; a large windshield and multiple cameras instead of rearview mirrors, offering a 360° view; and sliding side doors on the passenger side, limiting the door opening angle.
- Greater comfort for the driver, who will be able to exit the vehicle from either side, left or right. Getting in and out of the vehicle will be easier due to a significantly lower entry height than in a standard delivery truck.
- Optimal ergonomics and easier access to the cargo area. To achieve this, a three-way collaboration with a bodybuilder is being considered, aimed at streamlining loading/unloading operations in an urban environment.
- Online services enabling drivers to optimize delivery operations and routes.
Delivery of the prototype is scheduled for the end of 2022. It will be manufactured at the Renault Trucks plant in Blainville-sur-Orne, France. From 2023, the truck will be tested for urban deliveries in Paris. After tests in real-world conditions, there will be a vehicle adaptation phase, taking into account driver feedback on ease of use, practicality, charging, etc.
– We have noticed that the image of the truck is changing; it is finally being perceived as an essential tool. The goal of the project, in which Renault Trucks is collaborating with GEODIS, is to design a truck that will seamlessly blend into the urban landscape, among other road users, in high-traffic areas, and even in pedestrian zones. This new truck will be designed with the comfort and safety of the driver’s work in mind, as well as the safety of city residents – adds Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks.