Kangoo E-Tech looks set to step up the competition in the small electric van sector, reckons John Kendall.
At last, the new Renault Kangoo is set to arrive in the UK. Winning the 2022 International Van of the Year award has only made the waiting seem longer. Of course the delay is for the same reason van registrations are low so far this year – the shortage of new electronic components.
We should not have to wait for too much longer now that Renault has staged the international launch of the vehicle, starting with the E-Tech electric variant. As before there will be two lengths for the Kangoo offering load volumes of 3.9m3 and 4.9m3 and payloads of up to 600kg and 800kg for E-Tech models. Standard length models will be first to arrive.
The load volume is an immediate challenge to the only electric rivals currently on the market – the Stellantis Citroen ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Partner and Vauxhall Vivaro-e, not to mention it’s close relative the Toyota Proace City Electric. These models offer up to 3.3m3 in load volume, but offer higher payloads than the Kangoo, at up to 1,000kg.
One ingenious feature that Renault has devised for the new Kangoo is “Open Sesame by Renault”. This removes the B-Pillar on the passenger side, enabling the installation of Renault’s “Easy Inside Rack”, effectively a swivelling bulkhead with racking that can be accessed from the passenger side of the vehicle. It could go down a storm with mobile technicians and others who do not need a larger vehicle, but want racking.
The only trouble is that Renault will not be building the system for right-hand-drive markets. So, if you think UK Renault van buyers are being short-changed, now is the time to start lobbying your dealer or fleet sales contact.
As you would expect, the Kangoo E-Tech offers similar controls and instrumentation to the latest electrified range of Renault cars, with an identical steering wheel to the car models and similar controls for drive selection. This includes the gear stick drive selector for choosing forward or reverse with an additional position for enhanced regenerative braking. Plan ahead and it’s possible to drive the Kangoo E-Tech without using the brake pedal, by pulling the selector lever back to the B position. It might not be as neat as the push button selector in Stellantis rivals, but it is just as effective. The 186-mile range is impressive and we shall have to see how that stands up in service.
First impressions from the driving seat are that build quality is much improved over the previous model. In common with its rivals, a large central display screen controls many of the infotainment functions – from the radio to the satellite navigation. Heating and ventilation controls are separated from this, with controls on the dashboard to set temperature and distribution. Renault claims there is 60 litres of storage space in the cab and there seems to be plenty, including a lidded compartment over the instruments. The cab is available with either two or three seats.
On the road, the left-hand-drive Kangoo E-Techs that we drove at the launch did not disappoint. The van feels solidly assembled and provided good ride and handling with the brisk performance and low mechanical noise levels you would expect from an electric van. Expect further details closer to the UK launch.
IN BRIEF
WHAT IS IT? Small van
HOW MUCH? £TBA
LOAD VOLUME? 3.9/4.9m3
PAYLOAD? 600/800kg
RANGE? Up to 186 miles (WLTP)
DRIVE? Battery electric
ON SALE? End of September/October.
VERDICT
The Kangoo E-Tech looks set to provide new competition in the small electric van sector. Let’s hope that the innovative Open Sesame feature will be available in right-hand-drive.
