Automotive

Renault Trucks pledges to phase out fossil fuels by 2040

Renault Trucks has announced an electric option for every segment by 2023, and has pledged to stop building combustion trucks altogether by 2040
Renault Trucks
Renault Trucks has announced an electric option for every segment by 2023, and has pledged to stop building combustion trucks altogether by 2040
Renault Trucks

Renault Trucks is the latest manufacturer to lay out its electrification pledge: it'll have a battery or fuel cell option in every segment from 2023, it's aiming for 35 percent electric sales in 2030, and it'll ditch fossil fuels and decarbonize completely by 2040.

Renault is the biggest-selling truck manufacturer in France, and sells nearly 10 percent of commercial vehicles over 6 tonnes in Europe. The plan to get out of ICE trucks by 2040 is part of a zero-emissions push for 2050; the company says its trucks tend to have a lifespan of at least 10 years, so it wants the last combustion units it sells to be dropping off the road by mid-century.

It's already got battery-electric options available from 3.1 to 26 tonnes, covering distribution, deliveries, urban transport and garbage collection. This announcement heralds a new tractor unit for 2023, capable of pulling semi-trailers across regional and inter-regional distances, as well as an electric urban construction vehicle.

After 2025, the company plans to offer a range of heavy long-haul trucks running on hydrogen fuel cell powertrains, which could deliver range and refueling speed numbers close to what today's ICE trucks can do.

The Volvo Group, which owns Renault Trucks, is putting together a development unit focused on medium-tonnage electric vehicles, as well as spending €33 million on a new R&D center in Lyon and forging partnerships with battery specialists at Samsung SDI. Its efforts will be focused on battery design and supply,

Road transport currently contributes about 12 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and electrification using clean energy seems the clear path towards zero in this sector. Initiatives like this will play an important part, even if the timeframes seem long from this vantage point.

Source: Renault Trucks

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5 comments
Worzel
All this does is shift the CO2 generation from the truck to the power generating plant.
FB36
"After 2025, the company plans to offer a range of heavy long-haul trucks running on hydrogen fuel cell powertrains"

So many people are keep burning to death alive (after traffic accidents) because of gasoline (which (unlike diesel fuel) easily starts burning)!
What to use as fuel is very important/critical question/choice!
Hydrogen is even more dangerous than gasoline because it is explosive!

How about only battery powered pickup/heavy trucks (as Tesla is working on)?

Also, how about start producing biodiesel at large scales for all existing heavy trucks, trains, ships, ...?
(To make all existing diesel vehicles carbon-neutral (until they become fully electric someday)!)
Lamar Havard
Still gonna use fossil fuels to charge it.
TomLeeM
I think a hydrogen fuel cell is a better choice than a battery electric vehicle. I think one can refuel faster than charging the batteries. I think it is also greener. I think the hydrogen fuel cell could have a longer range and lessen the range anxiety.

While hydrogen is explosive, the flames goes straight up. I believe the gasoline that leaks would leak over everything and burn everything when lit.
ReservoirPup
Can’t believe it’s 2021 and many people have never heard of rooftop/other solar, nuclear and hydro power, especially those who frequent this site!