Choosing an LCV: buying guide to help you make the right choice

Panel vans

Practical and ready-to-go, panel vans provide secure enclosed storage in a compact design.

Practical and ready-to-go, panel vans provide secure enclosed storage in a compact design.

Modular storage options, wide sliding doors and optimal loading volumes make panel vans a popular solution for parcel delivery, catering, and small-scale trade work. The Renault Trucks Master panel van offers up to 14.8m³ in loading volume while the Renault Trucks Trafic panel van supports an impressive payload of up to 1300kg - the best in its vehicle category.

They can even be fully converted into a mobile workspace for convenient on-site operations.

Platform cab vans

For more specialised applications, platform cabs offer flexible and adapted solutions to unique transportation needs.

Chassis cabs pair with a wide range of functional bodies like dry box, refrigerated boxes, or horse transportation to accommodate diverse activities. Their versatility makes them a perfect choice for industries like food delivery, pharmaceuticals and agriculture, and moving services, where cargo often has special requirements that can’t be met by a pre-configured panel van.

They are designed so you can customise every detail. Choose storage, shelving, and accessories to suit your specific activity - increasing efficiency, precision, and productivity.

Chassis cab vans

If you’ll be transporting heavy-duty cargo or navigating rough terrain, you can’t go wrong with the powerful and versatile chassis cab.

Just like the platform van, this multi-purpose vehicle pairs seamlessly with specialised bodies for diverse functionality, and is capable of supporting heavy loads thanks to its sturdy open-frame design.

It's an ideal model for landscaping or construction when paired with a flatbed or tipper body. With box bodies, it just as easily transforms into an operational food truck, an ambulance or a mobile workshop. The possibilities are endless.

Business activity

Construction industry

Transporting heavy tools, materials and bulky machinery requires LCVs with high payload capacity, durability, and driveability - even across rocky sites.

For larger projects, the Renault Trucks Master Red EDITION Chassis Cab offers our largest payload (up to 2,113 kg), and compatibility with diverse bodies to maximise efficiency.

For smaller or urban construction sites, the Renault Trucks Trafic Red EDITION provides a more compact solution. It supports up to 1,112 kg and offers excellent manoeuvrability, ensuring it can handle tight spaces while carrying essential supplies.

Delivery

Delivery vehicles make frequent stops, carry diverse goods and often navigate tight urban routes. Your LCV should prioritise efficiency, accessibility, and driver comfort.

The Renault Trucks Trafic Red EDITION excels in urban environments with its compact size and smooth handling. Its electric version can even access inner-city low emission zones.

For high-volume deliveries, the Renault Trucks Master Red EDITION offers larger load volumes, wide 270° rear doors and the largest sliding door on the market.

Both models feature advanced safety systems like Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Warning, along with driver comfort features like automatic air conditioning, ergonomic seats and grip handles, reducing fatigue for delivery personnel.

Food industry

The food industry has diverse demands, ranging from temperature control for fresh goods to specialised storage; and smooth handling is a must when transporting a 7-tier wedding cake!

The Renault Trucks Trafic Van offers excellent manoeuvrability, low sill heights for easy unloading, and compact refrigerated options. It covers all the essentials.

For larger operations, the Renault Trucks Master Panel Van provides the best loading area length on the commercial market (3.855 mm), while its platform cab offers a maximum volume of 20m³ and configurations for custom catering and food truck bodies.

Length, Height, and Volume

The physical dimensions of your LCV are crucial for balancing storage volume, driveability, and access to tight spaces. With Renault Trucks LCVs, choose between 3 heights (H1, H2, H3), and 3 lengths (L1, L2, L3) to fit any sized operation.

The Renault Trucks Trafic van is our most compact solution, with a sill height low enough to use underground parking (1,967mm) and loading volumes from 3.3m³ to 8.9m³.

If you need space for bulky cargo, the Renault Trucks Master can combine our maximum height (H3: 2756 mm) with our largest total length (L3: 7293 mm) to optimise the chosen body.

Loading capacity

Knowing your ideal loading capacity or payload is essential. Luckily, Renault Trucks has options for any cargo weight.

For lighter deliveries, like parcels and catering, the Renault Trucks Trafic has the best payload for its vehicle category, supporting an impressive 1,300kg.

For heavy-duty needs, look no further than the Renault Trucks Master, offering payloads of up to 2,113 kg, and a towing capacity of 2.5 tons in its front wheel drive diesel versions.

Number of seats

Transporting passengers or crew members? The Renault Trucks LCVs each offer designated configurations with maximum seating in mind.

The Renault Trucks Trafic Combi seats up to 9, making it ideal for shuttle services and people transport.

For heavy-duty needs, look no further than the Renault Trucks Master, offering payloads of up to 2,113 kg, and a towing capacity of 2.5 tons in its front wheel drive diesel versions.

Energy: diesel or electric

Renault Trucks Master and Trafic vans come in both diesel and 100% electric versions.

Diesel vehicles can support higher payload capacities and offer greater autonomy for long-haul itineraries, giving them a slight edge in heavy and rural operations. Electric vehicles, however, provide significant environmental benefits without losing performance. They also represent long-term cost savings, can improve your business’s brand image, and promise greater longevity under changing regulations.

Ideal for last-mile delivery and urban routes, electric vans enable access to Low Emission Zones and operate quietly, allowing for operations outside of peak hours, reduced noise pollution, and improved driver comfort.

This new generation of LCV is no longer limited to city centres. The Renault Trucks Master has a range of 460 km and can regain up to 230 km of range in 30 minutes at a 130 kW DC charging station.

Associated services

When buying an LCV, you need to consider associated services to focus on your business. Always have a van that is ready to go and save money. With Renault Trucks, everything is designed to optimise uptime and manage fleets effectively.

Our light commercial vehicles are maintained using genuine Renault Trucks parts, backed by a 2-year warranty, and supported by a 24/7 breakdown service. We also offer tailored maintenance plans to give you total peace of mind on the road.

For maximum performance, the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master even features advanced connected technologies, including real-time tracking, navigation with Google Maps, and vehicle health monitoring- so there are no more nasty surprises. Additional on-board features such as the 10.1" multimedia display, over-the-air software updates, and driving assistance systems enhance operational efficiency and driver comfort.

TCO

Total cost of ownership goes beyond the upfront price of your vehicle. Though electric vans often have a steeper price tag than diesel vehicles, their operating costs are less expensive.

Electric trucks have fewer moving parts, making maintenance cheaper, and in Europe the future energy costs for electric batteries are expected to be 40% lower than diesel fuel costs. Electric vehicles are also more efficient, easier to recycle and cheaper to produce. We predict that by 2030, the TCO of an electric vehicle ownership after 7 years will be lower than that of a diesel vehicle.

If you’re considering a diesel van, you should of course look at the buying price but also the running costs. Fuel price, mileage and maintenance are key expenditures to monitor closely to make sure the TCO is profitable.

Accessories and customisation

From dimensions to colour, finish, storage, lighting, technology, and even homey accessories; just about everything on your Renault Trucks light commercial vehicle can be fully customised. See our accessories brochure for more details.

If you have specific goals in mind, consider optional thematic packs:

• The Storage Pack provides practical solutions like a foldable passenger bunk with storage, a sliding glove box, and upper dashboard compartments.

• The Delivery Pack enhances efficiency with 270° rear doors, additional rear steps, and a rear 12V socket.

• The Park Assist Pack ensures safety and easy manoeuvring with parking sensors, a rear camera, mirrors and blind spot warning.

• Driver Assist Pack adds visibility with fog lamps, automatic wipers and high/low beam lights. On the Renault Trucks Master, it includes driver comfort features like lumbar and arm rests.

Anticipate future needs

If you’re planning to expand operations, enter new markets, or increase your fleet size, consider vehicles that can adapt to your growing demands.

• Configurations with flexible bodies can be easily customised for various changing needs, allowing you to re-use the same LCV differently.

• Consider energy options. Electric vehicles are likely to be more sustainable in the long run, given changing fuel prices and emission regulations.

• Keep up with the competition by investing in connected technologies and predict maintenance costs with vehicle health monitoring.

Don’t hesitate to contact your dealer or our experts to get more information.