Renault has introduced the second generation of its all-electric commercial van, Kangoo, giving it a boost to 122 PS (120 hp / 90 kW) and many feature improvements across the range.
While the old Kangoo Z.E. made do with just 33 kilowatt-hours of power storage, the new Kangoo E-Tech Electric offers 45 kWh. This gives it around 300 km (186 mils) of WLTP-rated driving range. Earlier estimations hovered in the area of 44 kWh and 265 km (165 miles) of range at most, but the company must have found a way to improve upon those figures.
Buyers can choose from a variety of charging opportunities, ranging from an 11kW kit charger through an optional Stage 2 charger with 22kW at the output end and to an 80kW station. The latter can replenish up to 56% of the charge (approx. 170 km, or 105 miles) in half an hour. Among the six drive modes available, three support regenerative braking.
The battery sits under the bottom of the van, therefore, it has the same cargo volume as its ICE counterparts. Specifically, the short version has 3.9 cubic meters (137.7 cubic feet) of space and can carry up to 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds). The longer variant offers 1 cubic meter (35.3 cubic feet) and 200 kg (440 pounds) more than that.
Options include heating for the windshield, seats and steering wheel, a heat pump for colder climates, a wider doorframe at the right side (like in the regular Kangoo), digital dash gauges, ACC with Stop & Go, and keyless entry. The Renault Easy Link infotainment system measures eight inches across and supports touch operation along with battery-aware route planning.