Many of us are familiar with the packages delivered by trucks. Of course, when we arrive in the city, many couriers may use freight bicycles to transport goods and hot food, or even drones to transport drugs. Now, Renault has combined the three and launched the E-TECH master optimodale concept.
Optimodal's all electric package delivery three in one model is based on a Renault Truck with a 3.5-ton long wheel base l3h1 master E-TECH driving platform, equipped with a combination of R75 electric motor and 33 kwh battery pack, which can travel about 128 kilometers (80 miles) per charge - although a 53 kwh battery has recently been introduced to increase endurance.
The platform behind the body is equipped with a 4100mm (161 inch) low loader Luton body customized by Horton commercial company, which is equipped with folding shelves for stacking packages. However, some of its corner storage capacity has been given over to Larry and Harry's ebullitt freight electric bicycle in Denmark, which can be lowered to the sidewalk through an attached bicycle elevator.
Ebullitt adopts a red aluminum frame and a white cargo box, which can drag a small package of 100 kg (220 pounds) near the train to complete the last kilometer delivery. It adopts the Shimano steps transmission system. After each charging of the movable battery, the auxiliary function of the two small electric vehicles can reach 50 km (31 miles). The battery takes four hours to fill up, but it can be charged to 50% of the power in about an hour.
The last member of the optimodale urban distribution power trio is the magpie four axis aircraft of uavtek, a British UAV manufacturer. It is said that it can carry up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of goods and can fly for up to 38 minutes each time. During the work break, the plane stopped on a retractable helicopter platform above the Bullitt cargo E-bike storage area. Renault imagined that it would be used to lift small packages up in the open countryside or short distance water and deliver them directly to remote customers.
At present, it seems that this three in one electric package delivery idea is only a concept, although Renault Truck obviously has a working prototype. There is no information on whether or when optimodale will be put into production.