Renault has thrown open the doors to a new generation of electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs), and the message is clear: this is a fresh start, not just a facelift. At a recent preview in Paris, we got to see the new vans up close, and what’s coming down the road looks exciting for operators navigating Europe’s and the UK’s growing number of zero-emission zones.
These new vans create a trio of all-electric models — Trafic, Estafette and Goelette — built on a shared electric skateboard platform and supported by Ampere’s Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture. And they’re not just conceptually bold: these will make it into production at the Sandouville plant in France, with launch targeted for 2026.
Renault Trafic E-Tech: Familiar name, new van
You might know the name — it’s been around since 1980 and racked up over 2.5 million units. But this isn’t just a battery-powered reboot. The fourth-generation Trafic has been reimagined with a sleek one-box body, short front overhang and futuristic lighting. In person, it looks bang up-to-date, with a modern light strip that runs across the front end and a backlit Renault logo adding some genuine visual theatre.
It’s also impressively compact. At 4.87m long in L1 guise (or 5.27m for the L2) and with a height of just 1.90m, the new Trafic fits under the height barriers of urban car parks, making it ideal for inner-city work. Load volumes sit at 5.1 and 5.8 cubic metres, respectively.
The EV packaging makes clever use of space. The battery lives under the floor, and the powertrain sits at the rear, which has allowed Renault to push the cabin forward for better aerodynamics and visibility. Even the roof rails are shaped to reduce drag.
Inside, it’s equally well thought out. The dashboard features a tube-like structure that runs across the width of the cab — minimalist, yes, but also practical, with deep shelves, multiple cupholders and decent door bins. There’s even a hidden area behind the dash, big enough to stash a laptop or jacket, which you can see from outside the van. High-tech touches include a 12-inch central touchscreen and 10-inch driver display, plus support for Google Assistant and Google Play apps.
From behind the wheel, the Trafic should feel nimble, too — Renault claims a turning circle of just 10.3 metres, matching the footprint of a Renault 5
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Power comes from a new 150kW (204hp) electric motor, delivering 345Nm of torque. Two battery options will be available: a standard-range LFP battery (around 217 miles WLTP) and a long-range NMC battery offering up to 280 miles WLTP. And thanks to 800V tech, charging from 15 to 80% can take under 20 minutes using a DC fast charger.
V2L and V2G capability is built in, meaning you can power tools from the battery or even sell electricity back to the grid when the van’s parked.
Not ready to go electric? A Renault spokesperson told Professional Van that it will keep the existing van going “indefinitely”, meaning there’ll be two different vans wearing the same badge until dwindling demand or legislation stops sales.
Renault Estafette E-Tech: Retro name, radically modern package
Alongside the new Trafic, Renault also showed off the Estafette E-Tech. Inspired by the classic Estafette of the 1950s, the modern version is every inch a workhorse for urban delivery drivers.
Where the Trafic majors on versatility, the Estafette is laser-focused on efficiency in the city. It’s tall — very tall — standing at 2.6m high, which gives enough interior headroom for a 6ft 2in driver to stand upright. The 5.27m-long body offers a load volume of 9.2 cubic metres.
Unlike traditional vans, Estafette replaces the usual swing-out rear doors with a roller shutter that slides into the roof, maximising usable space and enabling full contact with loading docks. Side doors are cleverly suspended from external rails and open with a single motion. Renault has even made it possible to open them with your elbow — a thoughtful touch for multi-drop drivers with hands full of parcels.
Inside, the layout is driver-first. The elevated seat offers a panoramic view, and a delivery stop mode automatically opens the internal cargo door and activates hazard lights. The dashboard design is shared with the Trafic but raised for extra storage, and a fold-down seat offers occasional passenger capacity.
The Estafette shares the same electric underpinnings and SDV platform, meaning over-the-air updates, predictive maintenance, and app-based vehicle management are all standard.
Renault Goelette E-Tech: Built for conversions
Rounding out the range is the Renault Goelette E-Tech, a name that harks back to Renault’s classic LCV of the 1950s. Designed for ultimate flexibility, the modern Goelette shares the same cab and platform as the Trafic but is built to be customised. Whether it’s a chassis cab, a high-volume box, or a crew van, the Goelette is built to accommodate almost any conversion need.
With reinforced axles and a payload capacity of up to 1.4 tonnes, it’s ideally suited for factory conversions by Renault’s in-house team at Qstomize or its network of approved bodybuilders. All variants will roll off the same Sandouville production line and benefit from Renault’s full warranty and quality control.
For trades and applications that need something bespoke, the Goelette delivers a ready-to-go, plug-and-play electric base vehicle without compromising on smart tech or sustainability.
An evolving software platform
This new SDV architecture is a big deal. Rather than being fixed in time, these vans are designed to evolve. Renault likens it to a smartphone: software can be added, refined or replaced remotely. That means the Trafic, Estafette and Goelette you buy in 2026 will still be getting smarter and more useful in 2030.
Apps, navigation and infotainment run on an Android-based CAR OS developed by Ampere. You can install company-specific software to streamline delivery routes or monitor vehicle status in real time. There’s even a Safety Coach system that scores driving behaviour and suggests improvements to reduce risk and fuel (or energy) usage.
And because every business is different, Renault promises broad customisation through Qstomize, its in-house conversion arm. Whether you need a refrigerated van, a crew cab, or specialist bodywork, you can have it built to spec, and you can still benefit from the central software updates.
Electric vans with a real-world future
Renault’s new electric vans aren’t just another compliance move. The Trafic E-Tech, Estafette E-Tech and Goelette E-Tech feel like they’ve been designed from the ground up with the user in mind, particularly those who work in tight city centres, where size, connectivity and uptime are more important than raw payload.
More than anything, this new trio are trying to shift how we think about vans. They’re not just transport; they’re workspaces, power sources and digital tools. And when they look this good, that’s no bad thing either.
The new Renault electric van range will go on sale in 2026, built in France at Renault’s Sandouville plant.
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