2023 Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric van: will it come to Australia to rival the Ford E-Transit Custom?

The 2023 Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric has been revealed in Europe, as the French car maker’s third zero-emissions delivery van.

Unveiled at the Hannover commercial-vehicle motor show in Germany, the Trafic E-Tech Electric will slot into Renault’s existing electric van line-up between the smaller Kangoo E-Tech Electric and larger Master E-Tech Electric.

Renault’s Australian importer Ateco is yet to confirm whether the Trafic E-Tech Electric will be sold locally, although the new-generation electric Kangoo and electric Master have already been confirmed for sale here. 

"We are excited about our new electrified van range," an Ateco spokesperson told Drive. "For Australia, this starts with the all-new a Kangoo E-Tech which arrives in early 2023."

The Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric is powered by a single motor which produces 90kW – identical to the upcoming Kangoo E-Tech Electric and a 33kW increase compared to the Master E-Tech Electric.

However, the electric Renault Trafic develops 35kW less than the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine fitted to Australian-delivered models.

Renault claims the Trafic E-Tech Electric’s 52kWh battery pack can achieve a driving range of up to 240km on the WLTP cycle when unladen – roughly 40km more than the Master which utilises the same battery.

Renault says the electric van can support 7kW single-phase AC charging, 22kW AC charging at public stations and up to 50kW using a DC fast charger.

The Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric’s exterior dimensions are unchanged from its diesel-powered counterpart, with customers given the choice of short- and long-wheelbase body styles.

While the short-wheelbase Trafic measures 5080mm in length, the long-wheelbase adds 400mm of length between the front and the rear wheels. Renault also offers two roof-height options (1967mm or 2498mm), varying the Trafic E-Tech Electric’s cargo volume capacity between 5.8 to 8.9 cubic metres.

According to Renault, the electric Trafic is capable of carrying up to 1100kg, with a towing capacity of 750kg, though it has not indicated how much these loads would blunt performance or driving range.

In Europe, customers can opt to purchase the Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric as a cab-floor model, allowing them to customise the van’s rear storage solutions.

A passenger variant of the Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric is expected to follow the commercial delivery van, although timing is yet to be announced.

As reported earlier this week, the electric van market in Australia is growing, with Mercedes-Benz's eVito arriving in showrooms this month, followed by Ford’s E-Transit in early 2023 and E-Transit Custom later next year.