Renault Trucks electrifies its Blainville - Bourg-en-Bresse - Lyon logistics corridor with Malherbe

O

ne 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. 

The Renault Trucks logistics corridor linking Blainville-sur-Orne (Calvados), Bourg-en-Bresse (Ain) and Lyon (Rhône) operates on a ‘just-in-time’ basis, delivering parts to assembly lines when they are needed, without interruption:

• Cabs in the heavy-duty range manufactured at Blainville-sur-Orne are transported to Bourg-en-Bresse to be assembled.
• 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.

To decarbonise transport of cabs in the heavy-duty range, and engines and axles in the medium-duty range, 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)
• 11 vehicles along the South loop (Auxerre – Mâcon – Bourg-en-Bresse – Lyon – return)

Thanks to a series of relay stops (to swap electric tractors, drivers and trailers), each electric truck travels a daily distance of 810 km on the North loop and 704 km on the South loop. This system makes it possible to cover long distances without stopping the load.

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):

• The electric trucks leave the Malherbe depot at Vironvay to deliver the engines and axles from the factories in Lyon to the Renault Trucks factory at Blainville-sur-Orne.
• They leave again loaded with truck cabs, with a changeover of electric tractors and drivers at Vironvay, Auxerre and Mâcon to maintain the flow.
• The batteries are charged at each stage while the drivers are resting, as Malherbe has invested in installing its own charging stations at strategic points along the corridor.
• The flow continues on to Bourg-en-Bresse and the vehicles then return to Lyon, where their trailers are loaded with engines and axles, and on it goes.

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. By implementing a 100% electric system for this critical flow, Renault Trucks has demonstrated the reliability and maturity of its electric offer, while achieving an annual saving of 2869 tonnes of CO₂.

About the Malherbe group

Since 1953, MALHERBE has been a major player in transport and logistics in France and internationally. With a rich history and recognised expertise, the Group offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to the specific needs of its clients. With an extensive network and a modern fleet, MALHERBE delivers high-quality services while respecting deadlines and safety requirements. The Group also stands out for its dynamic and pragmatic CSR strategy and ambitious commitments to reduce its environmental impact.

Over the past decade, MALHERBE has relied on the "CO₂ Objective" charter to structure its actions and has already reduced emissions from its own fleet by more than 20%. Since 2021, the Group has been committed to the SBTi and now aims for a 42% reduction in fleet-related emissions by 2030 (and a 33% reduction across all activities, including subcontracting-related emissions).

Fully engaged over the past two years in the deployment of its own electric charging network, by 2026 MALHERBE will operate 8 dedicated heavy-duty charging stations with 50 chargers and 50 electric trucks, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes.

Key figures:

À propos de Renault Trucks

Renault Trucks, constructeur français de camions, fournit aux professionnels de la route depuis 1894, des solutions de mobilité durable, de l’utilitaire léger au tracteur routier. Engagé dans la transition énergétique, Renault Trucks propose des véhicules à la consommation de carburant maîtrisée et une gamme complète de camions 100 % électriques, dont la durée d’exploitation est prolongée grâce à une approche circulaire.

Renault Trucks fait partie du groupe Volvo, l’un des principaux constructeurs mondiaux de camions, d’autocars et autobus, d’engins de chantier et de moteurs industriels et marins. Le groupe fournit également des solutions complètes de financement et de service.

Chiffres clés :