Renault and lorry maker the Volvo Group have established a brand new start-up that goals to flip the European industrial car sector on its head with a variety of extremely modular electrical vans.
Called Flexis, it goals to capitalise on development in demand for zero-emission industrial autos, which is predicted by its creators to rise by 40% every year till 2030.
Explaining its ambitions, Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo mentioned: “This is the Tesla of the commercial vehicle in a way. That’s the way you have to see it.”
The first Flexis mannequin – a part of a three-van line-up teased in a press convention – might be launched in 2026. Based on a bespoke skateboard structure, it was promised by de Meo to “completely transform” the frequent notion of a van.
“It’s not a white box on wheels with a diesel engine any more,” he mentioned.
It might be a “step-in van” designed round last-mile deliveries in metropolis centres, prioritising how effectively it makes use of area in addition to outright manoeuvrability. It could have a footprint roughly according to the present Renault Kangoo however with a a lot taller roofline to provide a complete cargo capability matching the Renault Trafic from the phase above.
Those tight proportions may even make sure the van has a turning circle on a par with B-segment superminis, Renault prompt.
Flexis has additionally labored intently with logistics corporations to optimise the inside packaging of its vans, with French freight agency CMA CGM taking a ten% stake within the enterprise.
De Meo mentioned this method was impressed by Rivian, which developed its electric van with Amazon, and not too long ago failed start-up Arrival, which partnered with UPS and Post Office.
The Flexis vans’ interiors have been designed to avoid wasting as a lot time for his or her operators as attainable.
De Meo defined: “We have been attempting to get each second out of interplay between the motive force and the van, as a result of each 30 seconds that you simply save in a supply we estimate is [worth an extra] 1% profitability for the logistics operator.
“So you get into the van from the side; you don’t have to go back and open the door. You will have a mechanism to order the packages based on the delivery route. Everything will be like this, because 30 seconds is 1% profitability.”
Flexis CEO Philippe Divry mentioned that ease of operation can also be a key consideration. He elaborated: “Quite a lot of logistics corporations see their drivers altering jobs after 12-18 months, so it’s important to think about altering your complete workforce each 12-18 months.
“If we can make our vehicle more easy to drive, more friendly for people who deliver 100 or 150 packages a day, and we can keep them longer on the job, that’s much more value, much less disturbance in the customer’s operation.”