Renault Trucks (part of Volvo Trucks) officially started series production of all-electric trucks at its plant in Blainville-sur-Orne, Calvados, France.
The first two models D Z.E. and D Wide Z.E. (a counterpart of the Volvo FE Electric) are produced on the same production line as the diesel versions, although the French manufacturer first was required to expand the facility to handle EV-related stuff.
"A unit dedicated to electric trucks
Various facilities have been installed in the Blainville-sur-Orne industrial site to manufacture the electric models. Located next to the truck assembly line for the distribution range, the 1,800 m² Z.E. building is now entirely dedicated to technical operations relating to electric vehicles.Technical procedures are performed upstream and downstream of the Renault Trucks D and D Wide Z.E. passing through the assembly line. This building is also used to store components; in particular a temperature-controlled area is dedicated to battery storage."
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Manufacturing a single electric truck from the beginning to end takes 50 hours (although of course many can be produced simultaneously, at various stages of advancement):
"Manufacture starts one week prior to the electric trucks passing through the assembly line, with preliminary operations performed within the Z.E. building. Various subassemblies specific to all-electric vehicles (drive, engine, gearbox, modular power box, etc.) are assembled by skilled technicians. They are then transported to the assembly line in order to be mounted onto the vehicle.
The Renault Trucks D and D Wide Z.E. are assembled on the same line as the equivalent diesel models. At the end of the assembly line, the electric trucks are returned to the Z.E. building for the technicians to carry out additional technical operations and quality tests.
In total, 50 hours of work is required to manufacture an electric truck."
By 2025, Renault Trucks expects that electric vehicles will represent 10% of its sales volume.
Renault Trucks D Wide Z.E. technical specifications:
- GVW: 26 tonnes.
- Weight: 27 tonnes
- Available wheelbase: 3,900 mm
- Two electric motors with a total rating of 370 kW (260 kW continuous output)
- Maximum torque of electric motors: 850 Nm
- Maximum torque rear axle: 28 kNm
- Two-speed gearbox
- Energy storage: lithium-ion batteries, 200 kWh
- Real-world operating range: up to 200 km
- a counterpart of the Volvo FE Electric
Renault Trucks starts serial production of its electric trucks
Electric trucks are now a reality for Renault Trucks, from both a commercial and industrial standpoint. In March 2020, the constructor is due to commence serial production of its D and D Wide Z.E. electric trucks in its Blainville-sur-Orne plant. This marks a decisive turning point in the transformation of urban mobility.
The serial production of Renault Trucks D and D Wide Z.E. Electric trucks is commencing in the constructor’s Normandy plant in Blainville-sur-Orne. The factory, which has been operating since 1957, is specialised in the production of medium-duty vehicles and truck cabins. 240 cabins are made every day and 72 distribution trucks are assembled. This is now where the constructor’s electric trucks are also being assembled.
A unit dedicated to electric trucks
Various facilities have been installed in the Blainville-sur-Orne industrial site to manufacture the electric models. Located next to the truck assembly line for the distribution range, the 1,800 m² Z.E. building is now entirely dedicated to technical operations relating to electric vehicles.
Technical procedures are performed upstream and downstream of the Renault Trucks D and D Wide Z.E. passing through the assembly line. This building is also used to store components; in particular a temperature-controlled area is dedicated to battery storage.
50 hours of work is required to manufacture an electric truck
Manufacture starts one week prior to the electric trucks passing through the assembly line, with preliminary operations performed within the Z.E. building. Various subassemblies specific to all-electric vehicles (drive, engine, gearbox, modular power box, etc.) are assembled by skilled technicians. They are then transported to the assembly line in order to be mounted onto the vehicle.
The Renault Trucks D and D Wide Z.E. are assembled on the same line as the equivalent diesel models. At the end of the assembly line, the electric trucks are returned to the Z.E. building for the technicians to carry out additional technical operations and quality tests.
In total, 50 hours of work is required to manufacture an electric truck.
Renault Trucks predicts that electric vehicles will represent 10% of its sales volume by 2025.