Ah, Renault, the automaker that keeps proving you don’t need new ideas when you have old ones. Instead of designing fresh, cutting-edge commercial vehicles, they’ve decided to slap some batteries into the Estafette, Goelette, and Trafic, three names that sound like they belong in a museum rather than a showroom. But hey, why waste time innovating when you can repackage the past and call it progress?
The pitch? These new-but-actually-old electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) are perfect for businesses looking for "efficiency" and "practicality"—or at least for companies that like their vehicles to look like they were built during the Cold War.
Let’s take a deeper dive into this revolutionary (cough recycled cough) lineup.
The Estafette E-Tech Electric: Retro Chic for the Future’s Deliveries
If you’ve ever thought, "Man, I wish my van looked like something a French bread delivery guy drove in 1960," then boy, do we have the perfect vehicle for you. Renault’s Estafette E-Tech Electric is here to prove that old-fashioned panel vans can still be useful—so long as you plug them in overnight and avoid driving too far.
Key Stats:
- Length: 5.27 meters (just short enough to wedge into city parking spots with millimeters to spare).
- Width: 1.92 meters (narrow enough to remind you how fragile side mirrors are).
- Height: 2.60 meters (great for ensuring you never make it through certain parking garages).
- Interior Space: Designed for drivers up to 1.90 meters tall, meaning anyone taller than that is out of luck.
Notable Features:
- Large Three-Piece Panoramic Windshield: So you can really see how stuck in traffic you are.
- Zero-Emission Electric Powertrain: Which is great, as long as you’re never in a rush and don’t mind waiting for a recharge.
- Retro Styling: Because who doesn’t love a vehicle that reminds them of their grandpa’s bakery truck?
If you’re in the business of selling artisanal baguettes, delivering handmade pottery, or just want a vehicle that screams "I used to be cool before logistics mattered," the Estafette E-Tech Electric is your dream come true.
The Goelette E-Tech Electric: The Swiss Army Knife of "Customization"
Renault dug deep into its archives and resurrected the Goelette, a model first introduced in 1956, back when the most advanced automotive feature was a radio with two knobs. Now, it’s been reimagined (i.e., electrified and modernized just enough to pass regulations) and is ready to take on the demands of businesses that think a box on wheels is the height of versatility.
Key Stats:
- Available Configurations:
- Chassis Cab (for those who like a DIY approach to cargo space).
- Box Version (for businesses who believe square is the new aerodynamic).
- Tipper Variant (because dumping things is sometimes a necessity).
- Open Rear Section: Ready for third-party modifications, which means Renault couldn’t be bothered to finish the job themselves.
Notable Features:
- "Function Over Form" Design Philosophy: Code for "we didn’t try too hard to make it look good."
- Minimalist Aesthetic: Because who needs personality in a work van?
- Electric Drivetrain: Which should be just fine—as long as your daily mileage isn’t too ambitious.
Perfect for contractors, couriers, and people nostalgic for a time when "ergonomics" wasn't a thing, the Goelette E-Tech Electric offers a blank canvas for businesses who enjoy spending extra money customizing their vehicles.
The Trafic E-Tech Electric: A "New" Van That Feels Like 1980 Never Ended
Ah, the Renault Trafic, the reliable workhorse that has been around since 1980—long before the internet, smartphones, and safety standards became a big deal. Now, it’s back, and it’s even more Trafic-y than ever, just with an electric motor and a few minor upgrades to make sure it doesn’t look too much like a relic from a VHS tape.
Key Stats:
- Length: Optimized for maximum cargo space (translation: big enough to haul your hopes and dreams).
- Height: Under 1.90 meters, ensuring you don’t get stuck in underground parking lots—a surprisingly rare feature in the world of commercial vehicles.
- Turning Radius: Apparently as nimble as a Renault Clio, which is adorable considering the Clio is literally a hatchback.
Notable Features:
- One-Box Design: Because aerodynamics are for people who like good battery range.
- Electric Powertrain: So you can experience the thrill of waiting for your vehicle to charge.
- Expanded Cargo Area: Because the more packages you can fit, the more you can pretend you’re actually saving money.
Great for urban delivery drivers, small businesses, and people who enjoy reminiscing about the 80s, the Trafic E-Tech Electric is proof that some things never change—except the power source.
Production & Market Availability: The Exciting Wait for 2026
If you’re eager to get your hands on one of these electrified relics, you’ll have to wait until 2026. That’s right, by the time these vehicles actually hit the road, we’ll probably have self-driving delivery drones and flying taxis—but sure, let’s invest in battery-powered bread vans instead.
Production Details:
- Manufactured in France at the Sandouville plant (because where else would you build a vehicle that looks like it delivers fresh croissants?).
- More Specs Coming Soon: Which is corporate-speak for "we haven’t figured out all the details yet."
- Pricing? Driving Range? Who Knows! Renault hasn’t shared key information like how far these things can go before needing a recharge—but don’t worry, they’ll probably figure it out sometime before launch.
Conclusion: The Future Looks… Familiar?
So there you have it—Renault’s groundbreaking (read: recycled) approach to the future of electric commercial vehicles. Rather than designing something entirely new, they decided to resurrect three old models, slap in some batteries, and call it progress.
Will these nostalgic, electricity-powered delivery vans revolutionize the market? Probably not. But they’ll definitely make you feel like you’re driving a piece of history—because you basically are.
So if you’re a business owner who: ✔️ Loves vintage aesthetics.
✔️ Enjoys waiting for battery recharges.
✔️ Doesn’t mind paying extra for third-party modifications.
Then Renault’s Estafette, Goelette, and Trafic are exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
For everyone else? Well, maybe check back in 2026 and see if they’ve actually figured out the range and pricing.
