Renault Trucks Poland hosts first rational driving competition dedicated to electric vehicles

Renault Trucks Poland organised the first-ever rational driving competition using electric trucks and light commercial vehicles: the E-Optifuel Challenge 2025, held last October. Entirely focused on drivers, this event provides further proof of Renault Trucks’ commitment to decarbonised transport. Six experienced drivers competed behind the wheel of two trucks and one light commercial vehicle, all 100% electric. The competition took place around the brand-new service centre in Kajetanów.

Six professional drivers were invited to participate. All were champions or finalists from previous Polish editions of the Optifuel Challenge, Renault Trucks’ eco-driving challenge. The contestants tested their skills behind the wheel of three fully electric vehicles: the Renault Trucks T E-Tech equipped with the CMS camera system, the Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide, and the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master Red Edition. This first-of-its-kind challenge was held under conditions closely resembling real-world operations.

Driving electric trucks and LCVs: a first-time experience 

None of the participants had previously driven whether an electric truck or an electric light commercial vehicle (LCV). They quickly had to adapt to energy recuperation, which occurs when the vehicle is coasting. This behaviour, very different from that of a combustion-engine truck, requires smooth, predictive driving in order to maximise range. 

Competition judge, Łukasz Kurcbard, highlighted the significance of the event: 

The E-Optifuel Challenge has shown that efficient driving and electromobility can go hand in hand.

Routes completed without any intermediate charging

Despite challenging weather - rain, cold temperatures - and the hilly terrain of the region, the entire competition was completed without any intermediate recharging. At the finish line, after a full day of driving, both the Renault Trucks E-Tech T and the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master still had 35% of their battery capacity remaining, while the Renault Trucks E-Tech D16 finished with over 50%!

All vehicles carried loads representative of real-world use:

• Renault Trucks T E-Tech: 22 tons ;
• Renault Trucks D16 E-Tech: environ 4 tons;
• Renault Trucks Master E-Tech: 500 kg.

Local deliveries, urban distribution or interurban transport: testing a wide range of real-world uses 

The winning drivers achieved the following average consumption:

• Renault Trucks E-Tech T: 116 kWh/100 km at 61 km/h;
• Renault Trucks E-Tech D 16: 58 kWh/100 km at 44 km/h;
• Renault Trucks E-Tech Master: 18,1 kWh/100 km at 43 km/h.

The differences in average speed reflect the specific nature of each route, designed to reproduce everyday operating conditions.. 

• The Renault Trucks E-Tech Master cdrove on local roads with numerous speed limits, intersections and built-up areas.
• The Renault Trucks E-Tech D16 encountered all types of roads, from local routes to motorways.
• The Renault Trucks E-Tech T, encountered all types of roads, from local routes to motorways.

Each competition route covered approximately 32 kilometres.

Winners of the first E-Optifuel Challenge

The inaugural edition of the E-Optifuel Challenge concluded with the announcement of the three winners:

• Piotr Krahel
• Artur Sumbar
• Tomasz Leki

The event concluded with a presentation of the new Tandem Group service centre, dedicated to the maintenance of heavy-duty trucks.