Renault Kangoo Van E-Tech test. The electric utility finally here!

As soon as its new Kangoo was marketed a little over a year ago, Renault promised a 100% electric version, replacing the Kangoo ZE. This model, based on the second generation of the Losange van, has enabled the manufacturer to garner a great deal of experience in ten years of marketing. Here is Renault’s new 100% electric utility vehicle. It is logically called E-Tech, thus assimilating the Kangoo to the brand’s other electric cars.

The Kangoo Van E-Tech differs from the conventional internal combustion versions (petrol or diesel) only by a few aesthetic elements (including a specific grille with fewer openings) and by the absence of an exhaust pipe. The charging port hatch is located in the center of the grille behind the large diamond. This position is very practical in use, because the driver then no longer has to worry about either the side where the charging station is located or the length of the connection cable. The opening of this hatch is also controlled from a button located on the dashboard. Simple and efficient.

The batteries of the electric Kangoo are perfectly integrated into the floor, which keeps the load volume intact. The latter rises to 3.3 m³ in the standard version, the extended version is still not available (it should be marketed by the end of the year). This value can be increased to 3.9 m³ with the “Open Sesame” system. The maximum payload of 600 kg of the basic version (800 kg for the long) is also preserved. Just like the towing capacity, still established at 1,500 kg.

Price, range and charging Kangoo E-Tech

The Kangoo Van E-Tech is currently only available in its standard L1 version with or without the “Open Sesame” system charged at €1,000 excluding tax. Like the Kangoo Vans with petrol or diesel engines, this E-Tech variant is available in two trim levels: Grand Confort (€33,600 excluding tax) and Extra (€34,600 excluding tax). The latter is very well equipped with automatic air conditioning, hands-free access, navigation and reversing camera in particular. With a comparable finish, the electric Kangoo is €10,600 excluding VAT more expensive than the TCe 130 petrol version and €9,500 excluding VAT more expensive than the dCi 115 diesel. electric utilities.

The electric Kangoo Van is equipped with a 45 kWh battery allowing a maximum range of 290 km (WLTP standard). In the context of real use, it is necessary to count on a range of approximately 250 km. This interesting value thus erases one of the main flaws of the previous model and meets the needs of many users. For charging, the Kangoo Van E-Tech has an 11 kW charger for alternating current as standard. As an option, it is possible to choose a 22 kW charger combined with the 80 kW DC (direct current) charger for €1,200 excluding tax. Note that, in this case, the battery receives a liquid cooling system.

The search for maximum autonomy has also prompted Renault engineers to install, on the Kangoo E-Tech equipped with the 22 kW charger, a heat pump which can be combined with heated windscreens, front seats and steering wheels. Of course, pre-conditioning (hot or cold) before leaving is possible during recharging.

Driving

The driver of this new E-Tech version finds the same environment as that of the thermal versions except for a few details. Among them is the dashboard, which features a consumption and power regeneration indicator that is now classic on electric vehicles. The driving position is good, even if the very wide pillars of the windshield can prove awkward, especially in town. Just push the start button and wait for the “Ready” light to appear in front of you. The “gearbox” control (there is none) is classic and similar to that of thermal Kangoos fitted with the EDC gearbox.

The Kangoo Van E-Tech gets a 122 hp electric motor and 245 Nm of torque. Two driving modes are available: Standard (default) and Eco, which results in a degradation of performance and allows you to enjoy more autonomy. In Standard mode, accelerations and pick-ups are lively, and the Kangoo E-Tech exudes great driving pleasure.

On the energy recovery side, the driver has the choice between three powers. To activate mode B, simply push the gear lever to the right. By default, mode B2 is activated; it is sufficient for slowing down on the road or negotiating a bend. If the driver wants more braking power, synonymous with increased energy recovery, the gear lever must be pulled, which then engages mode B3. Enough to ensure a stronger slowdown and go practically to a standstill. As for mode B1, obtained by pushing the gear lever, it has been studied to limit the slowing down of the vehicle and is only used at high speed on the motorway for example (the car has a maximum speed of 135 km/h ).

In terms of comfort, the vehicle benefits from the qualities of the new Kangoo Van. Even if the suspensions have been firmed up compared to those of thermal engines, comfort is of a very high level. The weight of the batteries is not felt at the wheel, and road holding is very pleasant in all circumstances. On the other hand, our test model was equipped with the “Open Sesame” modular partition. Rolling noises from the cargo area and parasitic noises from the mesh partition are even more noticeable in this case, given the overall quietness of operation.

On board

Competition

The category of electric vans boils down, for the moment, to a remote match between the Stellantis group and the Renault-Nissan alliance. The Kangoo E-Tech arrives in this segment where until now only representatives of the Stellantis group and its industrial partner Toyota were available: Citroën ë-Berlingo, Opel Combo-e, Peugeot e-Partner and Toyota Proace City Electric. (while waiting for the new Fiat Doblo, scheduled for the end of 2022, which will include an electric version). These different van models offer identical payload capacities (800 kg), a similar range (280 km WLTP) but slightly higher power, at 136 hp. On the Alliance side, Renault has reserved a share of the cake for the moment since the 100% electric versions of the Nissan Townstar and Mercedes Citan should not be marketed before the second half of this year, or even at the start of next year. These models will logically have the same performance and capabilities as the Kangoo E-Tech.

Find the results of the test, the technical sheet and the equipment on the next page.