Renault and Volvo to deliver pioneering Flexis EV vans
New family of vans due from 2026 to sit on dedicated platform that allows ultra-fast chargingRenault, Volvo and French shipping and logistics firm GMA GGM have joined forces to create a new family of electric vans that will be sold under the Flexis banner.
Created to be the Tesla of vans, the new commercial EV start-up will co-develop an all-new dedicated 800-volt electrical skateboard architecture that’s designed to outclass its rivals.
Claimed to be highly versatile, the new platform will be capable of accommodating different body styles and come with the choice of two batteries.
Releasing a teaser image of the first three vehicles it plans to build, Flexis looks set to launch with a traditional panel van, a step-in van and a box van.
All three will be manufactured at Renault’s Sandouville plant in northern France that currently builds the Renault Trafic and Nissan Primastar sold in Europe.
According to Renault CEO Luca de Meo, the new delivery van packs in more space than the mid-size Renault Trafic, despite featuring more compact exterior dimensions.
This is aided by a long wheelbase and the EV platform’s completely flat floor.
Without a traditional combustion engine, the new van will have a turning circle comparable with a small supermini.
A Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) operating system based on Google’s Android OS will also allow fleet operators to integrate their own software into the van via the Google Cloud.
This could include incorporating live tracking and constant communication between the van’s HQ and the driver via the vehicle’s infotainment screen, saving the operator the added cost of buying and fitting additional aftermarket tech.
Sales of all-electric vans in Europe are predicted to rise by as much as 40 per cent each year until 2030.
As part of the deal, CMA GGM will invest €120 million ($A200m) while the Renault Group and Volvo Group will both kick in €300 million ($A500m) each over the next three years.
“This is the Tesla of the commercial vehicle in a way. That’s the way you have to see it,” said de Meo.
Related: Renault calls for action on cut-price Chinese electric cars
Related: Renault Trafic 2022 Review
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