Picking the winner for the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) is never and easy task, however, as it transpired what models would be fighting it out for the 2027 title, in my mind at least, it became pretty clear where I thought the votes would go.
The new Renault Trafic E-Tech might be an update to a familiar name, but it is in no way a quick refresh. The first 800V architecture electric van to go on sale, it's also Renault's first van to use a skateboard chassis which will become the bed rock of many more models to come. It's therefore an exciting start to both the future of Renault's ambitions and the industry as a whole.
While the award rightly recognises the best vans of the year, my fellow judges and I are also looking at the contribution and role the vans will play in the market going forward. When thinking about what makes a good van there's obviously the way it drives and what functions it can perform, but increasingly we're having to look at the wider ecosystem and the setup to support such a rapidly changing industry.
All the vans on the International Van of the Year 2027 shortlist are great vans in their own right, but in order to separate them I'm personally looking at more than just the metal in front of me.
Call me weird, but I love the van industry. LCVs are used for so many things, by so many different people, the diversity of the business and the business itself with its myriad collaborations, partnerships and rivalries fascinates me. Renault has been playing an increasingly important role in all of that, of late, and the Trafic E-Tech is the first chance to really mark their homework.
Read our Renault Trafic E-Tech review
It's also been a journey with its own share of controversy. What started off as a product built for a joint venture has ended up as entirely Renault's own party. The creation of Flexis - a joint venture between Renault Group, Volvo Group and French logistics firm CMA CMG - initially confused the plot, but has since provided hours of discussion and intrigue as to how it would all work.
Ultimately the answer is that it would work just as it always has, with Renault providing a version of the Trafic E-Tech to Renault Trucks and no doubt selling it elsewhere with, or without, its own badge. The drama of it all was a roller coaster and I'm so pleased that the end result isn't something that feels browbeaten by the whole episode.
The Renault has produced a fantastic van that exemplifies all the best aspects of electrification. The Trafic E-Tech is capable as a working tool and successful in that it can do the job of any diesel van, whether its from a carrying capacity point of view, payload or now, even range.
I don't think we can underestimate how important 800V system will be in LCVs. The ability to rapid charge means that this new generation of vans no longer exclude any sector, no matter how many miles you think you need in range.
What is the International Van of the Year Award
Like the Renault Kangoo ZE (a van which also won the International Van of the Year Award, in 2012) the Trafic E-Tech is a pioneer. A trailblazer for the exciting times the industry is about to enter, and I'm sure it will be a success and get many, many more accolades along the way too.
