Driving report: Renault Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric: Quiet business

2023-10-02 19:26:24

Driving report: Renault Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric Quiet business

Renault Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric

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Renault now also offers the Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric in the 4.91-meter-long L2 version. This means up to 4,900 liters of loading volume as well as a braked trailer load of 1,500 kilograms and relaxed progress.

High roof station wagons are popular. Some use them as robust family transporters and tradesmen are happy that the comparatively compact vehicles can also get through the city to some extent. The fully electric van is ideal for this clientele as they travel around 200 kilometers per day on average. This means that the 278 kilometers (L2 version) or 293 kilometers (L1) WLTP range is easily enough. Drive during the day and drive cheaply at night Charge electricity. In an industry where calculations are made down to the cent, this is an important argument.

We are traveling in the L2 version of the Renault Kangoo Rapid E-Tech Electric. This means a vehicle length of 4.91 meters (instead of 4.49 meters for L1) and a wheelbase of 3.10 meters (instead of 2.72 meters). Of course, these dimensions also have an impact on the volume. In the more spacious version, up to 4,900 liters fit in the cargo space; in the L1 version it is 3,900 liters, and the payload increases by 200 kilograms to 800 kilograms. The braked trailer load is 1,500 kilograms, unbraked it is 750 kilograms.

When it comes to variability, the electric boiler suit transporter doesn’t have to hide from the variants with a combustion engine. If you unhook the rear gates, they open like the wings of a butterfly, making access to the cargo space easier. Depending on the purpose, various modules are available for the box structure. The range extends from shelves to technical devices. The ladder can be stored under the roof using two fold-out brackets, and a storage compartment similar to that in a train compartment with a volume of 21.8 liters helps store various utensils.

The interior is unchanged from the L1 version. Hard plastic dominates and lots of shelves. There is also a lot of digital comfort with Renault’s well-known Easy Link infotainment and an eight-inch touchscreen. Not the most modern set-up, but when it comes to commercial vehicles, robust practicality counts more than high-tech. At least there are some USB ports and an inductive charging cradle.

The Renault Kangoo E-Tech shares technology with the Mercedes Citan and this partnership is definitely an advantage for the electric Frenchman, as up to 13 driver assistance systems support the driver. These include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assistant and lane keeping assistant. Other details show how the Kangoo benefits from the partnership. Unlike its big brother Trafic, the Kangoo has a camera rearview mirror and three recuperation levels, with the strongest one allowing one-pedal driving.

A separately excited electric synchronous motor sends 90 KW / 122 HP and a maximum torque of 245 Newton meters to the front wheels via an automatic reduction gear. This means that the 1,788 kilogram electric transporter can reach speeds of up to 132 km/h and reaches the 100 km/h mark from a standstill in 11.6 seconds. Actually, the sprint is not relevant for a transporter, but the Kangoo Electric travels quickly and effortlessly on country roads. Although we had two adults and a payload of 150 kilograms in the cargo area, overtaking slow vehicles was also possible in a relaxed manner. We spent most of the time in Eco mode, which reduces the power to 55 kW / 75 hp and the top speed to 110 km/h. Since the torque remains unchanged, this driving program is easily sufficient. This gave us a consumption of 17.4 kWh/100 km, which is 2.8 kWh/100 km less than Renault states.

This means that you can usually easily get through the day with the 45 kilowatt hour battery (net) without having to plug in the Kangoo Electric. And if you do need to fill up with electricity, there are various alternatives available. At a household socket with 10 amps and 2.3 kW, it takes 22:30 hours before the energy storage is filled again. On a wallbox with 16 amps and 3.7 kW it takes 14 hours, with 11 kW it takes four hours, with 22 kW the duration shrinks to 2:25 hours. However, the ability to charge with 22 kW costs around 1,000 euros extra, but this includes a heat pump. A maximum of 80 KW is possible at a DC fast charging station, which fills the energy storage device after 85 minutes. Not record-breaking if things have to happen quickly.

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