Renault Trafic E-Tech Review 2024
The Renault Trafic E-Tech is a mid-size electric van that ticks a lot of boxes for a van; it's versatile, practical, and looks pretty good. With a range of up to 186 miles and up to 8.9m3 of load volume, it's oriented towards business owners looking for a sustainable motor.
Rivals to the Trafic E-Tech include the Citroen eDispatch, Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Toyota Proace Electric, Nissan Primastar, Mercedes-Benz e-Vito, and Maxus eDeliver 7.
Our Renault Trafic E-Tech review covers:
- Modern exterior design
- Car-like cabin
- Up to 8.9m3 of load volume
- 52kWh battery with a 120hp motor
- Three trim levels
Pros:
- Nice cabin
- Good load volume
- Loads of driver assistance systems
Cons:
- Range is under 200 miles
- Top speed of just 68mph
- It's not versatile
The Trafic E-Tech looks like your typical modern mid-size van. It has a strong road presence thanks to an upright front end and sleek lights, and its square-shaped body is perfect for those needing ample load space. It's not the best-looking van on the market, but Renault has done a good job at making it look polished enough.
Like most mid-size vans, the Trafic E-Tech can fit three people on board. However, unlike many of its rivals, the passengers sharing the two-seat bench won't be complaining. Thanks to its width, there's enough space for all passengers to get comfortable, meaning you won't have to hear your colleague complaining the entire time until you get to the job.
If you want the Trafic E-Tech's maximum capabilities, opt for the LWB/high roof version, which can hold up to 8.9m3 and a maximum payload of 1,083kg. Thanks to a hatch in the rear bulkhead, you'll also get a maximum load length of 4.15m.
The other two dimensions are smaller, decreasing load volume to 6.7m3 and 5.8m3 respectively. You do get a slightly higher payload though, coming in at 1,185kg.
The cabin of the Trafic E-Tech is a nice place to be. The dashboard is laid out in a simple design, and everything you touch feels built to last, crucial for a van. There are also some handy features, such as Renault's mobile office. It features a fold-down middle seat with a laptop station and a detachable clipboard holder.
The technology is pretty good. You'll get an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system that features a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and USB ports as standard. It also comes with a connected navigation service that includes Google and live traffic updates.
Three trims are available for the Trafic E-Tech: Advance, Extra, and Extra Sport.
Advance has manual air conditioning, a passenger bench seat with under-seat storage, a 4.2-inch colour driver information display, and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Extra has a premium dashboard with chrome styling, interior LED cabin lighting, navigation, and a hands-free keycard with a start/stop function.
Extra Sport has 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, a rear parking camera, and 360-degree parking sensors.
The Trafic E-Tech comes with a 52kWh battery that's paired to a 120hp electric motor to return up to 186 miles of range.
Renault states that you'll shoot from 0 to 62mph in around 13 seconds, but with cargo in the rear, we'd expect that to be longer. It's also worth noting that it can only reach a maximum speed of 68mph, so we'd stick to the inner city rather than the motorway!
Using a 7kW charger, it can charge from 15 - 80% in just under seven hours. Quick charging is available up to 50kW, which gets the job done in under an hour.
On the road, the Trafic E-Tech is smooth and controlled. As its performance suggests, it's much more suited to urban driving than motorway cruising.
The suspension does a good job of soaking up bumps in the road and potholes, and the range of driver assistance systems help massively when driving.
The big downside to the Trafic E-Tech is its performance. With a top speed of under 70mph, acceleration is very poor on the motorway and you'll be restricted to the first lane. Not good if you're in a rush!
Prices for the new Renault Trafic E-Tech start from Price On Request OTR* or to lease from £469.78 per month.
Looking to get behind the wheel of the Renault Trafic E-Tech? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest van leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.
Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.
*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.
