Flynt to Introduce Electric Vans in Europe
A new electric van brand, Flynt, is preparing to launch in Western Europe. Based in the Netherlands, the startup has strong ties with Chinese companies. The team behind Flynt includes a prominent eMobility manager with connections in the Far East.
Flynt’s founder and CEO is Daniel Kirchert, who brings a wealth of experience from senior positions at BMW and Nissan. He also co-founded the now-defunct Chinese electric car startup, Byton. While Byton aimed for a global presence in the competitive electric mid-size SUV market, Flynt will focus on a smaller scale, aiming for a similar level of ambition. In a LinkedIn post, the company declared its mission: “A new era in light commercial vehicles, built specifically for Europe.”
Flynt, headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands, plans to sell vans in Europe based on an all-electric platform. The vehicles will be developed and manufactured by MiracoMotor, a Chinese company specializing in commercial vehicle electrification and a partner of the Chinese automotive group GAC. According to a press release: “By combining MiracoMotor’s technical expertise with Flynt’s deep understanding of European market needs, the partnership sets a new standard for global cooperation in the field of sustainable transport.” The first e-transporter prototypes are expected in the first half of 2025, with customer deliveries beginning in the first half of 2026.
The van is designed specifically for the unique demands of the European market, optimizing energy efficiency and payload for a total cost of ownership that could be a ‘game changer’ for fleet operators.
Flynt is launching with ambitious claims, declaring the vehicle the “new benchmark for light commercial vehicles.” The data presented so far is promising. The top version, equipped with a 100 kWh battery pack with NMC cells, is expected to achieve a range of up to 500 kilometers with a consumption of 20 kWh/100 kilometers. Two different LFP batteries will also be offered, though the exact range and energy capacity are not yet specified.
The vehicle will support AC charging up to 22 kW and DC fast charging at 220 kW – it’s unclear if this applies to all battery variants. The same applies to the vehicle-to-grid function, designed to increase operational flexibility. While the exact dimensions are not yet available, the cargo space is: this should offer between 8.7 and 16.5 cubic meters of storage space, depending on the version. Flynt claims that this offers 28% more space efficiency than its core competitors. However, there are no figures yet available for the crucial area of operator costs. The startup mentions an “extremely competitive overall product package,” aiming to close the cost gap between electric and diesel vans. According to Flynt, this includes lower energy costs, reduced maintenance costs, and the absence of a carbon tax, resulting in an extremely competitive total cost of ownership, which will ultimately make the switch to electric fleets economically viable for companies.
However, obtaining concrete figures at this stage is somewhat of a challenge, as the vehicle is still in development. The renderings posted by Flynt on LinkedIn almost two months ago differ significantly from those released in the current press release. Both show transport vans, but the original LinkedIn post featured a shorter front and a steep windscreen for enhanced visibility in urban environments. The current renderings show a similarly short front overhang, but a significantly flatter windscreen. It remains to be seen which features the first prototypes will actually have in the coming months.
While most electric vans in the European market are electric variants of existing diesel models, built on combustion or hybrid platforms, the concept of offering electric delivery vans on a purely dedicated electric platform is not completely new. The British startup Arrival has been developing an electric van since 2018 and even secured a substantial order from UPS in 2020. The plan involved manufacturing in micro-factories, with electric buses and cars also planned. However, by 2022, Arrival encountered financial difficulties and filed for insolvency this year.
Flynt intends to avoid these issues through partnerships with MiracoMotor. “In view of the ambitious global sustainability goals, cooperation between Europe and China is essential. Flynt is an example of how cross-border cooperation can accelerate the decarbonisation of transport,” said Kirchert. “Our all-electric platform is not just an adaptation of traditional concepts. It represents a complete redefinition of what light commercial vehicles can and should be, carefully designed to meet the unique needs of the European market, shaped by detailed collaboration and input from potential customers.”
The Flynt team, in addition to CEO Kirchert, includes COO Rogan Liu, Chief Customer Officer Moritz Klinkisch, and Laura Peschke, who serves as Chief Marketing Officer. Peschke previously worked with Kirchert at Byton and has held management positions at Great Wall and Nio. Klinkisch and Kirchert have a history dating back to their time at BMW. Rogan Liu has over two decades of experience in manufacturing, project management, and strategic product planning and has been instrumental in the development of a leading Chinese automotive brand.
“Our collaboration with MiracoMotor is a model of trust and long-term co-operation. Together, we have created a product that is both technologically advanced and perfectly aligned with the expectations of European customers,” stated Liu.
This marks the first project on the continent for the Chinese partner. “Success in Europe requires not only technological excellence, but also a strong brand and exceptional service guarantees,” said Xiao Ning, founder and CEO of MiracoMotor. “Our partnership with Flynt shows how complementary strengths – Chinese innovation and European market expertise – can lead to world-leading solutions.”
Source: Info via email, linkedin.com, flyntvans.com
