The new Renault Trafic E-Tech has been named the International Van of the Year 2027 picking up the most prestigious trophy in the LCV industry for its new software defined electric van.
It's the sixth time Renault has won the IVOTY award in the competition's 35 year history, securing the win with a unanimous decision from the 26 jury members.
The new Trafic received top marks from each member of the International Van of the Year jury, with the Stellantis ProOne Compact van named as the runner-up.
The Farizon V7E and the recently revamped Volkswagen Caddy Cargo claimed joint third spot, edging out the Hyundai Staria Electric and Maxus Deliver 7 which were also shortlisted for the award.
Read our Renault Trafic E-Tech review
The expert judging panel, consisting of commercial vehicle trade magazine editors and journalists from as far afield as South Africa were impressed with the arrival of the new fourth-generation mid-size Renault Trafic E-Tech.
Revealed at Solutrans last November, the Trafic E-Tech was born out of a partnership between Renault Group and Volvo Group who together launched Flexis. Initially, the intention was Flexis to concentrate on conquest fleet sales, while Renault Vans and Volvo Group's Renault Trucks would sell to their own, fleet and retail customers. Three vans were debut at launch with the E-Tech van shown alongside a Golette chassis and Estafette walk-through cargo van.
Renault has since taken full ownership of the Flexis business and products, merging it into the Renault Vans portfolio.
Read Who is Flexis?
Jarlath Sweeney, IVOTY chairman, said: “Congratulations to Renault Vans on winning the 2027 IVOTY with the new Trafic E-Tech electric. It’s the sixth such title for Renault, and exactly twenty-five years since the Trafic was last victorious in 2002. Previous wins for the French brand were with the Master (1998 and 2025) and Kangoo (2012 and 2022).”
“The main criterion for the nomination and the election of any van as International Van of the Year is its contribution to high standards of efficiency, safety, with respect to environment and the sustainability of the transport of light goods by road and the new Trafic E-Tech electric meets these requirements with aplomb,” Sweeney added.
Jan Ptacek, VP, head of Renault Light Commercial Vehicles, said “This prestigious International Van of the Year award is a strong recognition of the outstanding work and commitment of all the teams involved in the Trafic E-Tech electric project.
Read What is the International Van of the Year Award?
With software-defined vehicle platform features, 800-volt architecture and ultra-rapid DC charging, Trafic E-Tech electric is a game changer in the European LCV market bringing strong customer value, reduced daily operating costs, pleasure to drive, agility in the cities and on demand up-gradability. This award is also a strong symbol of the positive dynamic of Renault LCV business.”
Van Reviewer was amongst the first titles to get behind the wheel of a prototype version of the new Trafic E-Tech, driving the new 800V electric van as part of the assessment process for the International Van of the Year Award.
Find out what we thought of the Renault Trafic E-Tech in our electric van reviews section, and read the blog - Why the Renault Trafic E-Tech has just won International Van of the Year.
