Despite offering one of the largest and most comprehensive ranges of trucks in Europe, Renault RI has not produced a successful purpose-built refuse collection vehicle in it's range, since trying - unsuccessfully - to market the plastics-cabbed, low entry Pontecelli, some years ago.
Now that all looks set to change following a landmark agreement that sees the new 'Access' chassis/cab introduced throughout France and both sold - and serviced - by Renault dealers.
Low entry cabs have gained a growing part of the European RCV in recent years, after predictions that moves to 'privatisation' would cut sales to uneconomic levels, as commercial contractors purchased cheaper standard truck chassis. So what's changed?
The answer is that having discovered that purpose-built low cab RCV chassis delivered better reliability and increased efficiency, many commercial contractors have become aware of potential legal action by injured employees, if the high cab entry steps of standard trucks could be shown to be a contributory factor in workplace injuries.
While the employment law in many global markets still allows collection crews to ride on rear steps of RCVs, while the vehicle is moving, in several others, this is banned, so easy entry and exit to the cab is doubly important.
The Renault 'Access' range of two and three axle RCV chassis is assembled by Dennis Eagle in the UK and features Renault power units coupled to Allison automatic gearboxes. Dennis Eagle is part of the Spanish RosRoca group of which French manufacturer Eurovoirie is also a member.
Dennis Eagle is now also looking for partners to help develop chassis to suit other global markets.
