Renault Introduces Next-Generation Electric Kangoo

The best-selling European small electric van will be better than ever.

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric

Mark Kane

By: Mark Kane

Nov 16, 2021 at 11:04am ET

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Renault is introducing the next-generation Kangoo, which in an all-electric version (Kangoo Z.E.) has been available in Europe since 2011 and sold roughly 70,000 copies. It's the most popular small electric van and even now - with growing competition - has a market share of about 20% in the commercial EV segment.

The all-new Kangoo will be called the Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric and offered from Spring 2022. There will be two cargo versions (as well as a passenger version):

short: storage volume up to 3.9 m3; 600 kg of payload
long: storage volume up to 4.9 m3; 800 kg of payload

According to the latest announcement, the new Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric will be even better than initially anticipated in early 2021.

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric

EV specs

Renault will equip the van with a 45 kWh battery (usable capacity) for up to 300 km (186 miles) of WLTP range. Previously it was said that we should expect 44 kWh and 265 km (165 miles) of range. For reference, the retiring Kangoo Z.E. is equipped with a 33 kWh battery.

Since the battery pack is located under the vehicle floor, there is no compromise on the cargo area capacity.

Also, the electric motor will have higher output (90 kW) than stated initially (75 kW). There will be a total of six drive modes, including three regenerative braking settings:

Sailing (display light B1): limited regenerative mode, suitable for driving on motorways and fast lanes

Drive (B2): default regenerative mode for versatile use that has an ICE motor feel when taking the foot of the accelerator

Brake (B3): maximum regenerative mode for use in traffic jams and on mountain roads.

For charging, Renault envisioned three options - standard 11 kW, three-phase charger or an optional 22 kW version. There is also an optional DC charging option (CCS2 inlet) with a maximum rate of 80 kW. According to Renault, the DC charging will be good enough to replenish 170 km (106 miles) of range (WLPT) in 30 minutes - that's about 56 percent points of the battery capacity.

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric

Features

There is a heat pump in the Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric, as well as important winter options like a heated windscreen, front seats, and steering wheel.

"To guarantee the same range in all seasons, the All-New Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric air conditioning system comes fitted with a heat pump. When paired with the 22kW charger, heat is taken from the air around the vehicle to warm the passenger compartment without using an electrical resistor that consumes energy. The heat pump performs best when the ambient temperature is between -15°C and +15°C, a very common range for the cold seasons in most European countries."

Among the general features, Renault lists:

‘Open Sesame by Renault’ - the market's widest side opening at 1.45m
‘Easy Inside Rack’ retractable interior gallery
‘Renault Easy Link’ multimedia system with 8-inch display
the hands-free key card
the automatic parking brake
the three front seats with central folding backrest that turns into a mobile office
almost 60 litres of storage in the cab including the ‘Renault Easy Life’ drawer
the latest generation ADAS, including Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and the Motorway and Trafic Companion that marks the first step toward autonomous driving

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric connected services, available through Renault smartphone app or Renault Easy Link multimedia system, includes:

schedule battery charging
remotely monitor battery levels
pre-heat/cool the passenger compartment
search for charging stations close to the set itinerary
or calculate which destinations are accessible with the remaining battery

Production

The Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric, just like its predecessor, will be produced alongside conventional version in Maubeuge, located in Hauts-de-France, France.

The company recently invested €450 million in the factory and installed a new battery assembly workshop to handle production of cargo and passenger versions of the next-generation small vans from Renault brand, as well as from Mercedes-Benz (Mercedes-Benz eCitan cargo van and Mercedes-Benz EQT passenger van) and Nissan (Nissan Townstar EV).

Electric drive units (synchronous electric motors) and charging units (integrated chameleon power electronics unit) will continue to be manufactured at Renault's Cleon factory in Normandy, France.

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The public debut of the Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric is happening right now at the Solutrans car show in Lyon in France (16th to 20th November, 2021).

Gallery: Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric

Renault Kangoo Van E-TECH Electric specs:

up to 300 km (186 miles) of WLTP range
45 kWh battery (usable capacity)
front-wheel drive
electric motor (peak output): 90 kw and 245 Nm
AC charging (on-board): three-phase 11 kW (standard) or 22 kW (option)
using 11 kW wallbox (three-phase): 15-100% SOC in 3h 50 minutes
using 7.4 kW wallbox (single-phase): 15-100% SOC in 6h
DC fast charging (option): up to 80 kW
can replenish 170 km (106 miles) of range in 30 minutes
(or 56% of battery state-of-charge)
heat pump
heated windscreen, front seats, and steering wheel as optional extras
two length versions:
short: storage volume up to 3.9 m3; 600 kg of payload
long: storage volume up to 4.9 m3; 800 kg of payload
1,500 kg of towing capacity