Renault has selected DHL as its first logistics provider to manage and distribute replacement Li-ion batteries to the “Expert Z.E.” dealers network for its entire electric vehicle range. DHL has signed a three-year contract to implement a service to coincide with the launch of the first Renault electric vehicles, Fluence Z.E. and Kangoo Z.E.

“Renault is the first car manufacture to mass market electric vehicles. In this particular business model, the client will rent the battery reparable in Renault dealerships. Our contract with DHL is one of the key elements to ensure that replacement batteries are available for customers—a key quality point that Renault commits to offer to all electric vehicles, “said Jacques Daniel, Renault after-sales director

The logistics solution will include the storage of batteries in DHL’s facility in Bonneuil near Paris, the transport of batteries to “Expert Z.E” dealers and importers to countries in Europe and Asia including all major Automotive markets such as Germany, France, Spain and the UK, and the return of used batteries to Renault’s Flins repair center.

DHL will control the whole logistics process including order, exception and data management via its specialized Automotive Control Tower in Veghel, Netherlands. With a specific Renault IT solution, DHL will ensure that each individual battery can be tracked throughout the supply chain.

DHL staff including drivers has been trained on battery handling and loading for the batteries weighing between 112 kg and 335 kg or these with non-standard dimensions. Besides, one road test in the Rhine-Ruhr area (Germany) started in April of 2011, in which DHL will prepare 8 more vehicles of the type Renault Kangoo Z.E. in order to train the operational suitability of electric vehicles for commercial fleet operations.