Renault Kangoo 3 E-Tech Electric (2022). A range of 300 km

[Mis à jour le 03/11/2022] Appeared more than four years after the launch on the previous generation, the electric version will be expected much shorter on the Kangoo 3. Professionals will be able to drive “connected” from spring 2022, or less than a year after the thermal variations have been marketed. A little later, individuals will also be able to enjoy, for the first time, this E-Tech Electric variant, which hardly stands out for its style. It is indeed just if we notice a grille with the specific grid, while the charging socket is hidden behind the Diamond. The main difference is under the hood.

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A battery with increased capacity

Produced in Maubeuge like the rest of the range, the Kangoo E-Tech Electric is announced with a range of 300 km. This is 70 km more than before, on the same WLTP cycle. Progress obtained by swapping the 33 kWh battery against a 45 kWh accumulator. As usual with Renault, these figures correspond to the actually usable capacity. Power is also up sharply, from just 44 kW (60 hp) to 90 kW (122 hp). As a bonus, a heat pump is fitted as standard to consume less energy by turning on the heating in cold weather. While it will be possible to choose between three regenerative braking modes, offering more or less powerful deceleration:

• Sailing, more intended for highways,
• Drive, close to a thermal vehicle,
• Brake, well suited to traffic jams and mountain journeys.

To fill up more or less quickly, three types of chargers will be available. Basically, it will be necessary to be satisfied with a three-phase 11 kW chameleon model, rather intended for domestic outlets. As an option, it will be possible to choose either a 22 kW charger or an 80 kW charger. With the latter, on a fairly powerful terminal, you should be able to recover 170 km of autonomy in just 30 minutes.

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Loading skills preserved

As for the loading capacity of the Van version, it remains equivalent to that of the thermal twins: up to 3.9 m³ volume, even 4.9 m³ for the extended bodywork marketed as a second step, 600 kg payload (800 kg in the long version) and 1 500 kg towing capacity. As an option, we also always find the innovative “Open Sesame” system, which allows a lateral opening of 1.416 m (twice as much as on the previous model) thanks to the absence of the usual middle pillar.

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Competition now more varied

The manufacturer aims to sell at least 40% of Kangoo in electrified version. But the competition, long absent, is now much greater than in 2011. In the opposing camp, Stellantis launched the Citroën ë-Berlingo, Peugeot e-Rifter / e-Partner and Opel Combo e-Life at the end of 2021. . Under a deal with Toyota, they also have a Japanese twin, the Proace City Electric, and a Fiat equivalent is still slated for 2022, possibly under the Doblo name. These five utilities all have a little more horsepower than the Kangoo, but their 136 hp is only obtained in Sport mode. Their superior battery is also a bit misleading, since the 50 kWh is gross capacity. Moreover, without a heat pump, they are content with 275 km of autonomy on the WLTP cycle.

At Volkswagen, the recent Caddy is not planned for a 100% electric version, nor is its twin at Ford, the Tourneo Connect. On the other hand, the Kangoo will quickly have to deal with two close cousins. On the same CMF-C technical basis, Mercedes will indeed launch an electric Citan, renamed EQT for individuals, and Nissan will offer an electric variant of its Townstar. Two rivals who will share almost the same technical sheet and will have a very similar appearance, even if their facies and their interior will try to bring some differences.

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