The two have partnered to develop Oxygen, a 16-tonne electric city truck with a total cost of ownership (TCO) comparable to that of a diesel vehicle - but without the fossil fuel externalities.

With Oxygen, GEODIS and Renault Trucks want to eliminate urban road freight-related nuisances, such as pollution and noise, and increase the safety of both the drivers and city folk.

The prototype's delivery is scheduled for end-2022. The e-truck will be trialled in Paris, starting in 2023.

The real-world testing will be followed by a phase of adaptation of the vehicle incorporating feedback from drivers covering comfort of use, practicality, recharging, etc. Then, a study will see how to optimise the TCO.

"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," Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO, GEODIS, highlighted.

Bruno Blin, President of Renault Trucks, added, "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 Oxygen project [...] 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."

GEODIS intends to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030. To that end, the company will have provided carbon-free deliveries to 37 French cities by 2023.

Photo: Renault Trucks