eFREIGHT founding members Renault Trucks and M&S mark half-year of zero-emission deliveries
eFREIGHT 2030 is celebrating a significant milestone as two of its founding members, Renault Trucks and leading UK retailer M&S, mark six months of successful real-world operation with five electric Renault Trucks E-Tech T 4×2 HGVs.
Operating from M&S’s Clothing & Home distribution centre in Welham Green, the five E-Tech T vehicles serve 20 stores across London and the South East, including flagship stores Oxford Street and Bluewater – all with zero tailpipe emissions. The vehicles are among the first on the road to start the project’s real-world evaluation of electric HGVs, supporting M&S’s drive to achieve its Net Zero goals by 2040.
Celebrating success
To mark the successful introduction and real-world performance of the electric trucks, M&S and Renault Trucks hosted a special Driver Celebration event at the M&S Welham Green Distribution Centre. The event brought together the teams behind the successful rollout, including drivers, logistics teams, and industry partners, providing an opportunity to share insights and experiences on the transition to sustainable transport.
Driver acceptance of the electric trucks has been consistently positive, with feedback highlighting improved comfort, reduced noise levels and smoother vehicle handling.
Vehicle specifications
The E-Tech T vehicles are powered by six 90 kWh batteries and three electric motors, delivering up to 490kW of continuous power and maximum torque of 2400Nm, coupled to an Optidriver AT 2412 12 speed automated gearbox. Enhanced aerodynamics are provided by air deflectors from Kuda, while additional safety features include door windows for safer urban operation and Renault Trucks’ anti rollaway park brake.
All five E-Tech Ts operate on double shifts, supported by charging infrastructure installed by Voltempo as part of the eFREIGHT 2030 project at the Welham Green base. Future plans include the potential for additional infrastructure at M&S stores to allow for opportunity charging during vehicle stand time.
The milestone builds on M&S’s existing commitment to electric freight, with three fully electric 26-tonne Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide rigids with refrigerated bodies already successfully operating on double shifts for over a year.
Industry impact
Michael Boxwell, eFREIGHT 2030 Lead, commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to see this milestone achieved by our founding members Renault Trucks and M&S. This six-month success story demonstrates exactly what we set out to prove – that electric HGVs can deliver reliable, efficient commercial operations in real-world conditions, and this is only the beginning!”
He continued: “The positive driver feedback and seamless integration into M&S’s logistics operations shows the maturity of electric freight technology and provides valuable evidence for the wider industry’s transition to zero-emission transport.”
Carlos Rodrigues, Managing Director, Renault Trucks UK and Ireland, added: “We are proud that M&S has chosen Renault Trucks to lead its transition to zero-emission HGVs and delighted to hear that the progress and performance has been so positive.
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