Kuehne+Nagel takes delivery of 23 Renault Trucks electric vehicles for more sustainable road transport

Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world's leading transport and logistics companies, has received a first delivery of 23 Renault Trucks electric vehicles which will be used for road transport services in France. To mark the occasion, Xavier Léger, Managing Director of Road Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel France, welcomed Christophe Martin, Managing Director of Renault Trucks France, to the Villefranche-sur-Saône courier site for a handover ceremony.
 

• Two major transport players on the road to a more sustainable future

Kuehne+Nagel and Renault Trucks are committed to contributing to global carbon neutrality goals by setting goals validated by Science Based Targets (SBTi).

Kuehne+Nagel has thus announced its intention to increase the number of electric vehicles it operates in order to meet its 2030 CO₂ reduction targets. This step prepares the company for the ban on the most polluting vehicles entering French cities.

Xavier Léger, Managing Director of Road Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel France, explained Kuehne+Nagel's commitment to electrifying its road fleet. “We have an extensive groupage network of 56 agencies throughout France, with many short and medium distance routes that can be covered by electric vehicles. The ecological and energy transition is a challenge that concerns us all and we are proud, as a major player in the transport sector, to do our part and enable our customers to reduce the emissions generated by transport.”

Although there are still technological challenges to achieving the low-carbon transition of long-distance transport, Kuehne+Nagel is taking action and already uses around 60 trucks running on hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO). These transition technologies are already cutting carbon emissions from road transport by up to 83%, according to the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).

For its part, Renault Trucks, the leader in electric mobility in France, has embarked on a transformation of its entire business and offering, in particular by electrifying all its vehicle ranges. The manufacturer is pursuing its goal of achieving 50% of its volumes with fully electric vehicles by 2030. From 2040, Renault Trucks will only sell fossil-free trucks. 

“We are proud to support Kuehne+Nagel in its energy transition, embodied today by these 23 Renault Trucks E-Tech D. In addition to supplying the vehicles, we have worked closely with Kuehne+Nagel right from its earliest intention to decarbonise its fleet: from the study and analysis of requirements to monitoring implementation and operation,” explained Christophe Martin, Managing Director of Renault Trucks France. “With the introduction of these all-electric vehicles manufactured in France, Kuehne+Nagel will be able to continue its operations with the same range and payload, and access city centres regardless of the restrictions or regulations in force, without any direct CO₂ emissions or noise pollution.” 
 

• An annual reduction of 730 tonnes of CO₂

In the configuration chosen by Kuehne+Nagel, the 23 16 t Renault Trucks E-Tech D have a loading capacity of 18 or 21 pallets and are fitted with five 66 kWh battery packs for a range of 235 km on a single charge at the end of the vehicle's life. 

These electric trucks, which will be assigned to eight Kuehne+Nagel sites in France, are set to travel an average of 180 km per day, enabling the haulier to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 730 tonnes per year. For increased safety of drivers and road users, Kuehne+Nagel has chosen to equip each electric truck with two cameras and four sensors.

Technical characteristics of the 23 Renault Trucks E-Tech D delivered to Kuehne+Nagel:

• GVW: 16 tonnes.
• Technical weight 16.7 tonnes.
• Payload: 
  - 18-pallet van + tailgate model: 5,880 kg
  - 21-pallet van + tailgate model: 5,560 kg
• Wheelbase: 
  - 18-pallet van + tailgate model: 5,300 mm
  - 21-pallet van + tailgate model: 5,600 mm
• Electric engine with a total power of 185 kW (continuous power of 130 kW)
• Maximum electric engine torque: 425 Nm
• Two-speed gearbox
• Energy storage: 5 x 66kWh lithium-ion batteries = 330 kWh.
• On-board charger 22 kW (AC); fast charging compatible 150 kW (DC)
• Actual range: 235 km (end-of-life battery guarantee)