Renault Kangoo Electric van gets 50% range increase

The Renault Kangoo electric van has dominated the electric van segment for the last six years, now Renault vans have given their small electric van a driveline update.

Renault Kangoo Z.E.

With over 25,000 Renault Kangoo Zero Emissions (Z.E.) vans sold in Europe over the past 6 years, the Renault Kangoo ZE is the most popular electric van on the market. Renault has now updated the driveline of the incredibly popular electric small van, delivering a 50 percent enhancement to the driving range in conjunction with the capability to charge easier and faster.

The Renault Kangoo Z.E. 33, (representing the 33kWh capacity of the lithium-ion battery powering the van) can achieve a claimed 170-mile range on the NEDC cycle. In real-world terms this equates to approximately 120 miles which is an increase of 50 percent on the original Renault Kangoo Z.E. van, with Renault stating that it is suitable for 85 percent of small van owners.

Bigger range doesn't mean bigger battery

Despite the range increase, there is no physical increase in the size of the battery used to power the van and hence doesn't take up any more space beneath the load floor in the cargo area of the new van. The additional capacity has been achieved by improving battery chemistry and not be adding extra cells.

The Renault Kangoo Z.E. van now comes with a more efficient R60 motor. The 60ps motor uses less power in collaboration with an optimised battery management system. A heat pump within the climate control system also helps to improve battery range, as cab heating can consume a significant amount of the battery, particularly in colder periods. The heat pump reduces the use of electrical resistors, which uses up power and range and can be used in collaboration with the pre-conditioning system, allowing the new van driver to set the temperature while the van is charging.

Renault Kangoo Z.E. gets new charger

For the new model, Renault vans have added a new 7 kW AC charger, which is twice as powerful as its predecessor and will provide a complete recharge of the new van from a 7.4kW wall box in approximately six hours, a reduction of one hour. The Kangoo Z.E. can be topped up with 22 miles of range in one hour fast-charging, very useful during a lunch break.

Renault vans on finance

Interested in a new Renault van on finance? At Vansdirect we have the whole range available, from the small Renault Kangoo to the medium Renault Trafic and the large and robust Renault Master and even the Renault Kangoo Z.E! Choose from van leasing, contract hire and hire purchase to van finance your new Renault van. Call us today on 0845 021 0444 or enquire online and we'll get back to you!