The new Renault Trafic E-Tech electric will cost from £38,000 plus VAT and, crucially, before the government’s £5,000 Zero Emission Van Grant contribution to prices. Renault’s all-new medium van will offer two battery sizes, two body lengths and a choice of panel van or crew van configurations.

The entry-level L1H1 Advance panel van uses a 60kWh battery and offers up to 217 miles of WLTP range. All other versions use the larger 81kWh battery, extending the combined range to as much as 292 miles. Prices for the Long Range model start at £43,000 plus VAT.

Both battery options power a 160kW (218hp) electric motor producing 355Nm of torque.

800V charging promises shorter stops

The Trafic E-Tech electric uses an 800V electrical architecture, currently unique among medium electric vans sold in the UK.

Renault Trafic E-Tech electric prices set at £38k and up

The 60kWh battery supports DC charging at up to 160kW, while the 81kWh version raises the maximum rate to 190kW. Renault says either battery can reach an 80% charge in around 20 minutes when connected to a sufficiently powerful charger.

An 11kW onboard AC charger is standard. Vehicle-to-load capability also allows electrical tools and other equipment to draw energy from the van’s battery, with Extra models gaining 230V sockets in both the cab and load area.

Up to 1.3 tonnes of payload

The new Trafic is available in 4.87- and 5.27-metre body lengths, providing respective load volumes of 5.1m³ and 5.8m³. Both can accommodate three Euro pallets.

Maximum payload reaches 1,300kg, while the van can tow trailers weighing up to 2,000kg. A loading height of 530mm should make moving heavier equipment into the cargo area easier.

Despite the useful carrying capacity, the Trafic stands just 1.89 metres high and has a 10.3-metre turning circle in short-wheelbase form. Renault compares that figure with the turning circle of a Clio.

Phil Huff looking in the load area of the Renault Trafic E-Tech

Renault’s first software-defined vehicle

The Trafic E-Tech electric is also Renault’s first model described as a software-defined vehicle. Its electronic architecture supports over-the-air updates and allows new functions to be added during the van’s working life.

Businesses and conversion specialists will also be able to integrate their own applications into the vehicle.

Routes and schedules could be displayed through the van’s infotainment system, for example, or temperature controls for a refrigerated conversion could be incorporated into the touchscreen rather than requiring separate switchgear.

The same connected architecture will support remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance, potentially allowing faults to be identified before they result in a van being taken out of service.

Advance and Extra trim levels

Standard Advance equipment includes a 10-inch digital instrument display, 12.3-inch OpenR Evo touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Play Store access and over-the-air updates.

Adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, front, rear and side parking sensors, a reversing camera, extended grip control and trailer stability assistance are also included.

Renault Trafic E-Tech dashboard

Extra models add metallic paint, automatic climate control, additional airbags, a more adjustable driver’s seat, wireless phone charging and integrated HERE navigation. They also receive a mobile office arrangement, extra load-area lashing points, 230V sockets and a bulkhead loading flap.

Renault Trafic E-Tech electric UK prices and availability

Renault has kept the price walk simple. On the L1H1 Advance panel van, moving from the 60kWh urban-range battery to the 81kWh long-range battery costs £5,000. Stepping from an L1H1 body to the longer L2H1 adds £1,000, the high-spec Extra trim level costs £1,500 more than Advance, and choosing a crew van over the equivalent panel van adds £2,500.

BodyBatteryTrimVanBasic price
L1H160 kWhAdvancePanel van£38,000
L1H181 kWhAdvancePanel van£43,000
L2H181 kWhAdvancePanel van£44,000
L1H181 kWhExtraPanel van£44,500
L2H181 kWhExtraPanel van£45,500
L2H181 kWhAdvanceCrew van£46,500
L2H181 kWhExtraCrew van£48,000
Basic price excludes additional VAT and OTR costs, and ZEV grant contribution.

Pre-orders open on 5 November, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for the second quarter of 2027. It will be sold alongside the existing diesel Trafic, which is receiving its own technology and chassis upgrades.

Phil Huff