Renault's rival to the Ford E-Transit and Vauxhall Movano strikes the right balance to win over fleet and independent operators

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Renault Master E-Tech Review: delivering excellence

November 1, 2024 Phil Huff

Renault’s rival to the Ford E-Transit and Vauxhall Movano strikes the right balance to win over fleet and independent operators

While the Toyota Proace Max is a new van built around an 18-year-old base, the new Renault Master E-Tech really is an all-new entry in the large electric van market, which makes it quite exciting.

The outgoing Master struggled to compete in the EV market. It wasn’t a bad van, but a small battery pack and a woefully underpowered motor meant it wasn’t suitable for, well, anything. Fortunately, that’s all changed with the latest Master E-Tech.

Design, interior, and technology

Renault has given the Master E-Tech a complete makeover, incorporating an aerodynamic design it calls ‘aerovan’. Don’t be distracted by the big bluff front end — an unnecessarily aggressive design that will loom large over many a rearview mirror — as the van pushes air to the side and smoothes its way to a tapered rear. It’s subtle, but Renault promises it does the job of cutting aerodynamic resistance well.

Inside, the cabin balances functionality with technology, featuring a 10-inch touchscreen mounted centrally in the gently curving dashboard for infotainment, navigation, and other software. It can also support specialised third-party conversions, so, for example, external lighting can be operated from the touchscreen rather than needing an extra switch bolted to the dashboard. This makes things cheaper to install and, crucially, helps retain value when it’s time to move the van on to the next owner.

There are physical controls, too, which are always welcome. Cabin temperature is sorted with a simple dial, and audio volume can be tackled with discrete buttons atop the screen. There’s also the frustratingly placed audio control stick mounted low behind the steering wheel which is something to get used to.

The cabin itself is spacious and well-thought-out. There’s ample storage for daily detritus, including multiple dashboard boxes, an overhead shelf, slightly small door pockets, and a sizeable under-seat compartment (although that’s ideal for storing a charging cable rather than your lunchbox). Users of modern smartphones will be happy, with USB-C charging ports and a wireless phone charging pad on the dash, although anybody with an older USB-A cable will be left needing a converter.

It’s a thoroughly driver-centric space, offering plenty of space and comfort.

Battery, motor, and performance

The Master E-Tech comes with an 87kWh battery paired with a 105kW (141bhp) motor, delivering a range of up to 285 miles in ideal conditions and depending on spec, according to WLTP testing. This range places it among the best in its class, particularly given its price point, which we’ll come to later.

The single battery-motor combination means there’s no need to choose between power and payload; it’s a balanced setup that supports daily driving without complications, although a smaller 40kWh battery pack will be available in the Master’s Nissan-badged Interstar twin.

While the 141bhp output is modest compared to some other vans — you can get a Ford E-Transit with as much as 265bhp — the Master performs well and didn’t have any trouble keeping up with traffic on the M25 on a rare day when it was moving freely. There’s enough grunt in urban areas to pull cleanly out of junctions without concern.

Handling is stable, with sturdy steering for motorways and light control for tighter urban manoeuvres. The turning circle is impressive for a van this size, making city driving surprisingly manageable.

Charging is versatile, with fast charging available at a 22kW public AC point (0-100% in around 4 hours and 35 minutes) and high-speed charging at a 130kW station, taking just over an hour for a full charge. For home charging, expect around 14 hours on a 7.4kW wall box.

Payload and practicality

There are just two load boxes available on the Master E-Tech, which allow for payloads of up to 1,625kg. Payload volumes range from 10.8m3 in the back of the L2H2 model (called MM in Renault speak), rising to 13m3 in the largest L3H2 (or LM) van.

Taking our laser measurer to the L2H2 model, we found you can squeeze in a load of up to 3,031mm long, 1,790mm wide and up to 1,896mm tall, give or take a bit. Access to that load bay is easy, as the sliding side door is huge, measuring 1,312mm. The rear doors fold back through 180 degrees, making loading with a fork lift a piece of cake.

Weight limits go from 1,074kg to 1,625kg. Why the wide range? The Master E-Tech is available in 3.5-tonne or 4.0-tonne GVWs, with the latter carrying an extra half tonne. It does mean that anybody with a simple car driving licence will need to take some extra tuition to drive the 4.0-tonne model, which also comes with additional complications for any business running them. It might be better to stick to the lower weight limit and avoid the pain of extra regulations while allowing access to more drivers.

Price and specification

The Renault Master E-Tech’s starting price of £42,500 for the MM35 model is made even more appealing by the £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant that’s currently available. That significantly undercuts the likes of the Ford E-Transit and Vauxhall Movano, and matches the likes of the smaller Ford E-Transit Custom and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric.

Available only in Advance trim, the Master E-Tech includes the essentials and a few premium additions. You’ll find air conditioning, the 10.0-inch infotainment screen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated door mirrors, cruise control, power sockets in the back, and a vast array of safety technology.

Verdict

The Renault Master E-Tech may not be the flashiest or most powerful electric van on the market, but it excels where it matters most: practicality, range, and affordability. With a starting price well below many competitors, a solid driving experience, and an attractive range of up to 285 miles, it’s an ideal choice for businesses ready to switch to electric without stretching their budget.

Renault has crafted a straightforward, no-fuss EV that promises to meet the needs of fleet operators and independent drivers alike in an increasingly crowded electric van space.