Three joint Flexis electric vans from 2026
The Renault Group and the Volvo Group, which have been working together in the light commercial vehicle sector for more than 35 years through their Renault Trucks division, intend to jointly develop a new generation of all-electric vans and software-defined vehicles. Production of these models is scheduled to start in 2026. The scope of cooperation also includes service solutions for the logistics industry.
Own brand based in France
Both companies each hold a 45 percent stake in the new company, which is christened Flexis Mobility. The investments over the next three years are to be 300 million euros each. In April 2024, the French logistics group CMA CGM converted its letter of intent signed in October 2023 into a stake and is investing 120 million euros for its 10 percent stake through the PULSE energy fund, which aims to accelerate the decarbonization of the transport and logistics sector.
The joint venture was established on March 22, 2024. The company, called Flexi SAS, is based in France. Both carmakers are open to further investors and partners.
Modular 800 Volt Skateboard
The electric vans will be based on a new all-electric LCV skateboard platform with 800-volt technology, which is being developed by the Renault subsidiary Ampere and which, with its modular design, allows various body types. The battery size is scalable and should offer a range of up to 450 kilometers. The modular system enables low costs and consistently high safety standards. With the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, the new generation of vehicles is said to have unprecedented functions for controlling delivery activities, which is said to reduce global usage costs for logistics companies by 30 percent.
The electric vans are to be built at Renault's Sandouville plant. 550 new jobs are to be created for production over the next four years. The first customer deliveries are planned for 2026. Ten letters of intent from logistics providers in France, Great Britain and Germany are already said to have been received, which include a potential volume of up to 15,000 vehicles over three years.
It is not known to what extent the Chinese carmaker Geely has its fingers in the pie here. Geely owns Volvo's passenger car division and is also the largest shareholder in the Volvo Group. The Chinese already have various partnerships with Renault to build cars and engines.
Three models are coming
The planned vehicle family consists of three models: the Step-in Van, the Panel Van and the Cargo Van. With its towering silhouette, the Step-in Van competes in the segment of medium-sized vans. It scores with front sliding doors and a rear roller door for optimised loading. The vehicle offers easy access between the cockpit and the cargo area with an interior height of 1.90 meters, which allows drivers to move comfortably upright in the vehicle.
With the Panel Van, Flexis is launching a city-ready, multifunctional van with a futuristic design in VW bus format. Among other things, it offers better maneuverability and an overall height of only 1.90 meters, which allows the vehicle to fit easily into urban underground garages and parking garages.
The cargo van is designed to meet the needs of urban delivery on the last mile and beyond, with an easily customizable box that can integrate different widths, heights and loading areas, as well as modular solutions such as