Renault Trucks has expanded its electric vehicle line-up with last-mile delivery solutions under a new deal.
It’s joined forces with Kleuster, a Lyon-based electric cargo bike manufacturer, to accelerate the production and distribution of the Freegônes e-cargo bikes, launched eight years ago.
The cargo bikes will be assembled at Renault Trucks’ Vénissieux industrial site and distributed through its European network. Sales are already available through the French Renault Trucks network and will join the wider European network from 2023.
The Freegônes e-cargo bikes can access roads, cycle lanes, pedestrian zones and LEZs, while their small size and agility mean they can get close as possible to delivery sites. The 80km (50-mile) range also means they can be more productive than a utility vehicle and more cost-effective, thanks to a low carrying cost.
The partnership will complement the Renault Trucks range of electric vehicles and support the firm’s mission to decarbonise professional mobility.
“E-cargo bikes can be a great option for customers in urban environments that need to access zero emissions zones. Through this partnership with Kleuster, Renault Trucks is differentiating itself and taking the lead in offering even better solutions to our current and future clients,” said Bruno Blin, president of Renault Trucks.
Built on a single body chassis, the Freegônes e-cargo bike offers five modules (dry box, refrigerated box, food service, flat bin and refuse skip), each offering specific features. The dry box provides a 350kg payload and 2m3 of useful volume, while the refrigerated solution is said to be the only e-cargo bike to offer ATP-approved temperature control ranging from -25°C to +4°C. The refuse skip is billed as the only e-cargo bike that can automatically unload into a tipper truck or container in less than 20 seconds.
“Renault Trucks is the ideal partner to support Kleuster’s growth. The two companies are both committed to providing the best possible urban mobility solutions in very densely populated environments. Joining forces with Renault Trucks benefits both our companies and contributes to environmental targets while also meeting the needs of our current and prospective customers,” commented Gérard Têtu, founder and CEO of Kleuster.
