Renault Trucks get new tech
As previously reported, Renault made a major splash at this year’s Solutrans trade fair in France. Many of the more noteworthy exhibitions were in the sustainable and green spheres. A noteworthy piece of technology was the introduction of lightweight, super-strong solar panels to be fitted to trucks.
Solar panels on vehicles have long been seen as a logical step but precluded by cost, performance, weight and strength. A California outfit called MiaSole Hi-Tech has recently made great strides in this area, leading to the current development of record-breaking, solar-powered High Altitude Platform Stations – unmanned planes that can provide the same 5G or even 6G connectivity to sparsely populated areas as satellites, at a fraction of the cost.
Renault will now integrate this technology into its vehicles. The version shown at Solutrans was a PV roof wind deflector. This was based on a thin stainless steel skin which made it shatterproof – a major advantage on heavy-duty trucks. It is also fully recyclable.
This technology is capable of generating 300W and was first used on sailing boats. It can help charge the truck’s batteries even when not running, adding to the load life of full EV or hybrid drives. Many long-distance trucks act as crew quarters for the drivers, and the PV panels can be used to drive onboard items like a microwave, fridge or to charge tablets and phones.
Apart from having developed an all-electric truck range, the 16-, 19- and 26-tonne Z.E. range, Renault Trucks has also been making efforts to improve the fuel efficiency of its other models. Its new 11 and 13 litre Euro VI Step E, DE11 and DE13 engines which, combined with the integration of new technologies and dedicated services, provide fuel savings of up to 10% compared to the previous generation of Renault Trucks engines.
Another step for increased sustainability was the integration of a Used Truck Factory within its manufacturing facility, where used vehicles are reconditioned and then reintroduced on the market.
Image source: Renault Trucks
