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The What Van? Road Test: Renault Kangoo E-Tech (2022)
Date: Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Powertrain
Married to a single-speed transmission, the electric motor delivers 245Nm of torque. The charging socket for the lithium-ion battery, which is protected by a cooling system, is at the front of the van, beneath the big Renault logo which flips to one side.
A mode 3-type charging cable is supplied with the vehicle.
Driving
If you want to maximise your range and you are tackling a reasonably hilly route, then make sure you make full use of Kangoo E-Tech’s regeneration system whenever you go down an incline.
Tap the shift lever to the right and select B1, B2 or B3 – the maximum – and you will get lots of lovely free energy pumped into the battery when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal. It is remarkably effective and unlike regeneration packages fitted to earlier electric Renaults it does not result in nearly being jerked out of the driving seat every time you use it.
A display on the instrument panel – an optional 4.2in colour display in our case – tells you how much charge is going into the battery, and how much range you have got left.
Another way of extending the gap between recharges is to press the ‘Eco’ button on the dashboard. You lose some performance by doing so, but you will experience surprisingly little impact if you are lightly laden, and the air-conditioning is not affected.
Leave the button alone, and you will find on-highway performance is more than acceptable, with brisk acceleration and relaxed motorway cruising. Remember, though, that the harder you press the loud pedal, the faster the range will drop.
Manoeuvring at low speeds can be a little awkward at times, however, because the Kangoo E-Tech is not that biddable.
You have to tickle it along. If you are over-enthusiastic with your right foot then there is the risk that the van will suddenly shoot forwards; and spoil your entire day.
The Renault handles well but as with most light commercials, the ride can be choppy when you are lightly-laden.
The muted whirring of the electric motor means all the other potential sources of noise – the tyres smacking the road surface, for example – become more noticeable. Artificial noise is generated at low speeds to alert other highway users to the van’s presence.
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