Renault Kangoo E-Tech completes brand's electric van lineup

PARIS -- Renault has launched its second generation of compact full-electric vans with the Kangoo E-Tech, with a range of 285 km (177 miles). 

But while the first-generation electric Kangoo, called the Kangoo Z.E., largely had the market to itself when it was introduced in 2011, the new version will compete with compact vans from four rival Stellantis brands: Citroen, Fiat, Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot (and a Toyota-branded variant).

The Kangoo E-Tech will start deliveries early in 2023, Renault said at the Paris auto show, where it was revealed to the public this week. Prices will start at 33,600 euros in France for a base panel profession version. There will also be passenger versions, which start at 37,000 euros.

The current Kangoo was launched in 2021, but was without a full-electric variant until now.

Renault will build the Kangoo E-Tech at its factory in Maubeuge, northern France, along with variants for Mercedes (T-Class for passenger versions; Citan for professional ones) and Nissan (Townstar/NV250). The vans are the first full EVs to be built on the Renault-Nissan Alliance's CMF-C/D platform.

Renault says it has invested 450 million euros to prepare the factory to build the vans, as well as the coming Renault 4 full-electric small SUV, also revealed at the Paris show as the Renault 4ever Trophy concept. 

Renault’s new electric Kangoo joins the midsize Trafic (new for this year) and the large Master to give the automaker a full lineup of battery-electric vans.

Stellantis made the decision in 2022 to eliminate combustion-engine versions of its passenger vans, saying that ever-tightening fleet emissions and pollution regulations would be very difficult to meet with compact vans, which are relatively heavy and not aerodynamic. Renault will continue to sell combustion-engine versions of the Kangoo.

Full-electric vans still make up a small percentage of the overall market in Europe. According to the lobbying group ACEA, diesel made up 90 percent of all van sales in the EU in 2021, with gasoline at 3.8 percent and battery-electric at 3 percent (a 50 percent increase over 2020, when it was 2 percent).

That percentage looks set to continue to grow. According to a recent to a report this month from advocacy group ICCT, battery-electric vans accounted for about 4 percent of all commercial van sales in Europe in the first half of 2022. Stellantis had the highest penetration, at 5 percent of sales. 

The Kangoo E-Tech Electric can charge from 15 to 80 percent at a typical 11-kilowatt public charging station. Charge time from 15 to 100 percent at a 7.4-kW wallbox is less than six hours, Renault says.

Range can be optimized in Eco mode, which limits top speed to 110 kph (70 mph), and there are three regenerative braking mode.

In addition to diesel, gasoline and now full-electric powertrains, Renault is also planning a full-hybrid E-Tech version, with 140 or 160 hp. That option is due in 2023.