Renault and Volvo form alliance to create future electric light commercial vehicles
The European market for electrified vans is set to triple by 2030, and one company, Flexis, is poised to address this growing demand. This ambitious venture is a result of a joint collaboration between the Renault Group and the Volvo Group, two industry giants in the automotive sector.
The joint venture, named Flexis, aims to lead in research and development in electric platform technology. This partnership leverages the expertise of Renault Group in the light commercial vehicle market and Volvo Group in the truck sector. The goal is to reduce global logistics costs by 30% for companies using these electric vans.
The Renault Group's CEO, Luca de Leo, aims for his company to be a leader in the transformation of electric light commercial vehicles (eLCV). Meanwhile, Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group, emphasises the importance of partnership and collaboration in achieving clean, efficient, and safe urban transportation.
The Flexis concept aims to rethink the sector with a new family of software-defined electric vehicles. These vans will remain up-to-date throughout their lifespan, ensuring they remain competitive and efficient. The vans will feature multiple battery sizes to cater to various uses, and enhanced connectivity features will monitor delivery activities and business performance.
Renault Group is using Flexis as a scaling platform for its two-year trial of FlexEVans, a last-mile delivery prototype. The image shown is of the FlexEVan prototype, a testament to the innovative design and technology being developed by Flexis.
The Volvo Group, which owns Renault Trucks, will contribute its vast network of logistics providers, global service network, and operational productivity services to Flexis. This collaboration targets the electric van market, focusing on smart capabilities and a modular 800-volt platform.
Fleet Europe's LCV insights and LCV Expert Days offer valuable information and key takeaways for those interested in the latest developments in the eLCV sector. As the race to dominate the electric van market heats up, Flexis is undoubtedly a company to watch.
However, one question remains unanswered: who will take over the management of Flexis GmbH? As more details emerge, we can expect to see Flexis continue to make waves in the electric van industry.
