Renault Trucks sets electrified logistics corridor between Bourg-en-Bresse, Lyon, and Blainville

One year after decarbonising transport of axles between Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse, Renault Trucks has taken a step further in the electrification of its internal logistics. Along with the haulier Malherbe, the manufacturer is currently deploying an electric corridor to transport cabs, engines and axles between its industrial sites.

Indeed, the logsitics corridor connects Blainville-sur-Orne (Calvados), Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain) and Lyon (Rhône), operating on a ‘just-in-time’ basis. More into details, cabs in the heavy-duty range manufactured at Blainville-sur-Orne are transported to Bourg-en-Bresse to be assembled, while engines and axles produced at the factories in Lyon are taken up to Blainville-sur-Orne to be integrated in trucks in the medium-duty range. This strategic logistics flow is now covered almost entirely by 100% electric trucks.

Renault Trucks’ internal logistics corridor in France

In fact, Renault Trucks and Malherbe are using a fleet of 22 Renault Trucks E-Tech T electric trucks. 11 vehicles along the North loop (Blainville – Vironvay – Auxerre – return), and 11 more vehicles along the South loop (Auxerre – Mâcon – Bourg-en-Bresse – Lyon – return). The system is based on four loops of drivers, four loops of electric tractors and one full loop for the loading (cabs for the outbound and engines-axles for the return trip).

According to Renault Trucks, all of the stages have been designed to maximise truck usage time (up to 18 hours per day) and to keep the drivers within a close radius around their home, making the job more attractive.