Renault to launch its first software defined electric vehicles

Renault is launching three electric LCVs at the Commercial Vehicle Show 2025, which are the first to feature the flexible, scalable architecture developed by Ampere around the Software Defined Vehicle (SDV).

Available on the Renault Trafic, Estafette and Goelette users, the SDV will allow users to upgrade their vehicle, just as they would their laptop or phone,

Before now, vehicles were designed around a chassis and an ICE or electric powertrain. Manufacturers would then add on all the electronic features and pre-equipment packs required for the various functions and versions.

This approach to vehicle design involved a huge number of ECUs – up to 80 per vehicle – with a limiting effect on performance and the integration of new features.

Implementing an approach similar to the most powerful computers, Ampere has based its new SDV approach on a single platform with centralised software architecture and a connected, intelligent operating system to control, analyse and upgrade vehicle functions quickly and reliably.

High-performance computers act as the vehicle’s brain, processing the data collected by the onboard sensors, and in particular by the driver aids (ADAS), powertrain, chassis control and multimedia/connectivity services. These computers can be upgraded with new functions to modernise the vehicle or extend its service life, using the car operating system or “CAR OS”, designed by Ampere.

Business users will be able to upgrade their vehicle, just as they would their laptop or phone, adding new functions in real time throughout its service life. Personalised offers could be made available, reflecting the actual usage and driving habits of each individual.

In this way, the experience could be enhanced for business users, with functions tailored to their activity and requirements.

For example, vehicles with specific functions, such as ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles, refrigerated vehicles and other conversions, could include dedicated apps for unique, centralised operation of each component. A similar approach is implemented by openR link with convertor companion, an award-winning innovation available on Renault Master, but with the added intelligence of the SDV;

Companies using their own operating system, to make deliveries for example, will be able to integrate their OS with the onboard multimedia system in order to send out information in real time (time, route, contacts, remarks, etc.) to delivery drivers on their rounds;

Fleet users will be able to log in to their profile and access a personalised interface with their preferred vehicle settings and apps.