New electric van concept unveiled

Flexis, a new company formed by Volvo and Renault to develop and produce electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) has unveiled the Estafette, a new concept electric van. Using the new FlexEVan platform that Renault developed with its partners in Flexis, specs are based on fleet requirements and feedback.

Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis SAS, said:

We are excited about helping to bring to life the vision that Renault Group and its partners Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group have come up with to revolutionise urban logistics, to make operations more sustainable, safer, city-friendlier, driver-friendlier and neighbour-friendlier.

Estafette concept is the first example of what electric utility vehicles will look like tomorrow – purpose-engineered to drive in cities, compact, connected and built for fully sustainable delivery services.

The original Estafette was the first Renault brand vehicle to fit the entire powertrain – engine and transmission – at the front to free up all the space behind for loading.

The new Estafette 4.0 is the first to feature the FlexEVan electric platform and will become a production van in two years’ time.

Estafette Concept’s footprint (4.87 x 1.92 metres) is in the same league as Kangoo L2 (4.91 x 1.86 metres).

They both fit in a standard parking spot (less than five metres long), while being more agile, with a turning circle between kerbs similar to that of a Clio (just over 10 metres). But Estafette Concept is considerably higher (2.59 metres compared with 1.85) allowing the driver to move back and forth between the cockpit and cargo area.

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