Renault Trucks and Geodis announce the Oxygen project: a 16-ton electric truck conceived for urban deliveries

Renault Trucks and global supply chain operator Geodis are working on the Oxygen project. In fact, Oxygen is the name given to a 16-ton electric truck, conceived for urban deliveries, which will be developed and built as a prototype by the end of this year. The trucks will be produced at Renault Trucks’ French site in Blainville-sur-Orne. First trials for urban deliveries are scheduled in Paris in 2023.

Renault Trucks has a complete range of electric vehicles ranging from 3.5 to 26 tonnes (namely, from the Master to the D Z.E. Wide), while Geodis has the ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, also providing carbon-free deliveries to 37 cities in France by 2023. The two partners have the target to provide the new Oxygen truck at a comparable cost to that of diesel-powered vehicles.

Renault Trucks and Geodis on the Oxygen project

«We have noticed that the image of the truck is changing; at last, it is being perceived as an indispensable tool. The purpose of the project, in which Renault Trucks is working alongside GEODIS, is to design a truck that will seamlessly blend into the urban landscape, among other road users in areas with traffic and even in pedestrian zones. This new truck will be designed for the driver’s working comfort and safety, and for the safety of city dwellers», said Bruno Blin, president of Renault Trucks.

Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS, added: «The environmental emergency combined with the growth of e-Commerce and the implementation of low-emission zones in major French cities mean that we urgently need to step up the decarbonisation of transport. This is the objective of GEODIS in forming this partnership with Renault Trucks. We want to quickly provide concrete answers to the issue of sustainable urban logistics».

The key initial targets

In the early phases of work, the following areas of focus were identified:

• Improved safety for the driver and the public thanks to a lowered cab giving the driver an excellent direct view for optimal protection of road users; a large windshield and multiple cameras instead of rear-view mirrors, offering a 360° view; a sliding side door on the passenger side restricting the door opening angle.
• Greater comfort for the driver, who will be able to get out of the truck on either side, left or right. Climbing in and out of the truck will be made easier by a much lower access height than on a standard delivery truck.
• Optimal ergonomics and easier access to the cargo space. To achieve this, a three-way partnership with a bodybuilder is under consideration with a view to improving loading/unloading operations in an urban environment.
• Connected tools enabling drivers to optimize their delivery operations and their routes.
• To ensure that this vehicle blends into the urban landscape perfectly and with a view to enhancing both the comfort and the self-esteem of the driver, Renault Trucks designers have completely redesigned both the exterior lines of the truck and the interior of the cab.