Flexis, a joint venture between Renault, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM, has revealed three new electric commercial vans slated for launch in Europe next year. These vehicles, built on an electric skateboard platform, are designed to revolutionize urban logistics.
Flexis Mobility emerged last year as a partnership between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and the shipping company CMA CGM. Now, the company is beginning to show the results of that collaboration with the unveiling of these three commercial vans. All three share an electric architecture and are built on an electric skateboard platform. They also offer customizable interiors and low floor heights to facilitate the loading and unloading of packages.
Flexis anticipates that the vans will achieve a WLTP range of up to 280 miles (450 km). The vehicles will also feature a rapid charging capability, allowing for an 80% charge in less than 20 minutes. Flexis has also considered driver comfort and safety, noting that the driver’s seat has been specifically designed to reduce knee strain, a significant factor given that drivers may need to get up and sit down as many as 250 times per day.
The Step-in model, a medium-sized van, features sliding front doors and a rear shutter door that Flexis is promoting as a European market first. The van is designed for easy access between the cabin and cargo area. Its 74.8-inch (1,900 mm) height allows drivers to comfortably move around inside the vehicle.
The Cargo Van is designed for last-mile urban deliveries and has an adaptable “easily convertible box.” The box is capable of accommodating varying widths, heights, and beds, plus modular solutions such as refrigerated boxes. It also comes with traditional front doors and a low cab height.
The Panel Van is described as the most intriguing of the three, with Flexis stating the model will offer superior maneuverability. It will have an overall height of 74.8 inches (1,900 mm) and a “multi-purpose design [that] addresses all limitations of current market offerings.” Moreover, its design is visually appealing for a work vehicle.
The vans are set to be manufactured at Renault’s Sandouville plant, with the first deliveries scheduled for 2026. Flexis will sell the vehicles directly to fleets and logistics providers, but they will also supply them to Renault, which will then “distribute them under their own brands in their sales networks.”
Twenty prototypes have already been built, accumulating over 9,000 hours of driving since March of last year. Flexis has secured ten letters of intent from logistics providers across France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Colis Privé, DB Schenker, and HIVED are among the companies expressing interest in the new vans.
