Renault Master electric van review (2022)

• Easy and pleasant to drive with single-speed transmission
• But more noise and vibration inside than you might expect
• 2020 version able to handle increased payload

What’s the Renault Master ZE like to drive? Interesting, actually.

It very much has the feel of an existing van that’s been converted to electric power, rather than a model that was designed with an e-variant in mind right from the start. As such, the new powertrain does seem to show up as many minor issues as it solves.

Surprisingly noisy inside

Electric vehicles are usually very refined. But we've found there is still quite a bit of vibration through the steering wheel of the Master ZE. What’s more, although you no longer have the clatter of the diesel engine to cope with, its absence means you hear much more road and wind noise. So it’s nowhere near as immediately relaxing and quiet as we were expecting.

Speaking of noise, like the Kangoo ZE, the Master electric van is equipped ZE Voice - a device that emits a sort spacecraft sound at low speeds to take all the fun out of trying to surprise pedestrians and cyclists.

Easy to handle

Like all Masters, the steering remains long-winded - you have to turn the wheel a lot to get from lock to lock. But then the front wheels themselves do also turn a long way, too, making this big van surprisingly manoeuvrable.

Once you’re up and running, and acclimatised to the noise, the Master ZE becomes rather enjoyable. The handling is neat and tidy, there’s not much bodyroll, and it feels very stable at speed. As an electric model with a single-speed transmission it doesn’t have any gears to worry about - you simply select Drive or Reverse and go - taking all the pain out of traffic jams, too.

It’s not the fastest thing in the world. The R75 electric motor is the same 57kW (77hp) unit used by the latest Kangoo ZE, and top speed in the Master is liimited to 62mph at best; activate the Eco mode to eke out the highest possible driving range this is restricted further to 50mph.

But for all that, it didn’t have any trouble hauling a 400kg test weight. While the motor’s 225Nm of torque might sound modest, the whole lot is delivered instantly so it only ever starts to feel laboured on particularly steep hills.

Regenerative braking

The regenerative braking effect of the motor means that every time you lift off the accelerator, the van slows noticeably.

Driven with careful observation of the road ahead, you'll find you rarely need to use the brakes; since this slowing down process converts momentum back into electricity, which goes back into the battery, being that bit more vigilant helps the van go further between charges as well.

Are there any differences for the 2020 version?

Renault has made some changes to drive system as part of the 2020 update - so although it offers the same 77hp and 225Nm as before, the way it deploys that torque is slightly more muscular.

It's this change that apparently allowed Renault to feel comfortable enough to increase the gross vehicle weight to 3,500kg, allowing the Master ZE to carry increased payload with no loss in performance.

• Functional but uninspired interior
• Nothing outlandish compared with the standard Master
• Plenty of storage, gets the job done

Aside from the change in noise, there's not a vast amount of difference inside the Master ZE compared with a well-specified conventional Master diesel - although the electric version does get some bespoke instruments, so you can keep track of how many miles you've got left before the batteries run out.

The Master has been facelifted since the ZE was launched, so you will find the earliest versions aren't quite as nice inside as the latest ones (newer cab pictured below; older one in the gallery above). There's nothing particularly wrong with the original, it's just that the revised models look and feel slightly better.

In-cab storage is generous, whichever you choose, though not quite as well thought out as it is in the most recent Volkswagen Crafter. Similarly, Renault's infotainment systems are acceptably useable rather than outstandingly impressive.

Basically, it gets the job done. Which is all you really need from an electric van focused on last-mile delivery.

However, it is a shame that the steering wheel only adjusts for height and not for reach as well - this perhaps more than anything shows the age of the van the Master ZE is based upon.

• Expensive to buy but cheap to run
• Battery warranty seems a bit mean
• Only one (well equipped) specification level

While the Master ZE is expensive to buy, running costs should be much lower per mile than a conventional diesel alternative – in terms of both ‘fuel’ and maintenance.

A full charge should only be a few quid (depending on your electricity tariff), while a reduction in moving parts, no oil to change, and less wear and tear means servicing should be cheaper.

Renault Master ZE warranty

The Master ZE has the same basic warranty as any other Renault van, which currently means it's covered for three years or 100,000 miles.

The batteries are warrantied for five years, but confusingly only 62,000 miles. This reflects the reality that people aren't likely to rack up mega mileages in a large electric van, but still looks a bit mean.

Renault Master ZE standard equipment

The Master ZE comes in only a single specification - the entry-level Business. This mirrors the Business trim level available on diesel Masters, with the exception of a few additional, electric-van specific items of kit.

Renault Master ZE Business standard equipment highlights:

• DAB radio with Bluetooth and USB connectivity
• Height-adjustable driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support
• Dual passenger seat
• Overhead storage
• Steering wheel heigh-adjustable only
• Single sliding side door on passenger side
• Electric, heated door mirrors
• Full steel bulkhead
• Remote central locking with deadlocking
• Automatic lights and wipers

The ZE-specific items include the ZE Voice sound generator, the 62mph speed limiter and - rather obviously - the charging port and a cable to plug into it.

For details of the safety and security kit, see below.

• No signs of reliability issues

The Master ZE has been available in the UK since late 2018. Suffice to say, Renault hasn't sold enormous numbers of them, since the market for large electric vans that cost upwards of £50k isn't a huge one at the moment. It's also likely that the examples that are in operation aren't being worked as hard as some diesel models probably are.

Given this, it's probably no surprise that isn't much reliability data to go on yet, and equally little evidence of any major issues or faults.

• Bit of a poor show

The Renault Master is one of the elder statesmen of the large van sector, and as such both the regular range and the ZE electric version aren't quite up to speed with the latest active driver aids, and so forth.

Renault Master ZE safety equipment

You can electronic stability control, hill-start assist and an airbag as standard - that's it. Oh, and a full steel bulkhead.

There aren't even very many options to choose from here.

No wonder Euro NCAP has gone so far as to rate the overall Master van range as one to 'avoid'.

Renault Master ZE security

This is even weirder - like all Masters, the ZE is fitted with an immobiliser as standard. But while the diesel models get an alarm system as well, this is deleted from the electric version.

Perhaps the charging process interferes with it, or perhaps Renault just thinks thieves won't bother on the basis they'll hardly get very far given the limited driving range.