Renault has electrified the Master large van to create the Master ZE, an all-electric delivery van that's designed with zero-emissions urban delivery in mind. It joins the Renault ZE electric commercial vehicle range alongside the Kangoo ZE and Twizy Cargo, although it's far larger than both. As well as offering exhaust emission-free driving, Renault is also introducing a host of telematics and connectivity options with the Master ZE to keep fleet managers up to date with the status of their vans.
• Can an electric van work for your business?
The Master ZE features the latest lithium-ion battery technology, with a 33kWh battery pack that's been developed to improve energy density. The battery is mounted underneath the standard Master's load floor, and the way it's packaged means that the Master ZE has the same access height as the Master dCi, while the load volume in the delivery van version is unchanged.
Power comes from Renault's R75 electric motor. This 74bhp unit is offered in the ZOE in some European markets, so it should prove to be reliable for fleet users. It gives the Master ZE a top speed of 62mph, underlining Renault's belief that this is a delivery van for the city rather than long distance work. A special Eco mode limits the van's top speed to 50mph to help conserve energy, while Renault claims that the 33kWh battery is good for a real-world driving range of around 74 miles. However, that will very much depend on the payload, weather and driving style.
A full charge of the battery takes six hours when using a 32 Amp/7.4kW wallbox, so it's feasible for fleet users to have a fully charged fleet of vans ready to go overnight. It's even possible to have vans on charge during the day while others are out on delivery.
Renault will offer six versions of the Master ZE - four panel vans with two roof heights, as well as a pair of platform cab variants - and they will offer a payload of up to 1.1 tonnes, which will be suitable for the needs of urban delivery fleets. The platform cabs will be suitable for bespoke bodywork, including chilled distribution, and Renault will offer conversions directly to customers through its 30-strong Pro+ commercial vehicle network in the UK.
Renault EasyConnect
As well as offering zero-emissions deliveries, the Master ZE introduces Renault's next generation of fleet management. On-board telematics will allow fleet managers to monitor all vehicles via Renault's EasyConnect software and check on vehicle location, mileage, range and nearby charging points. Any technical issues that may arise, such as flat tyres or when servicing is due, can be relayed back to the fleet manager, too. In an effort to streamline fleet maintenance, the EasyConnect system can send direct messages to a Renault Pro+ dealer if a van is due a service.
The Master ZE joins Renault's existing electric CV line-up of Kangoo ZE and Twizy Cargo, and is part of the firm's plan to offer an entire fleet of zero-emissions commercial vehicles. While the addition of a mid-sized Trafic ZE would seem like a logical step, this is currently still under evaluation by Renault.
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