- Renault unveiled its plan for future urban-focused electric vans, unveiling the ‘ZFlexEVan’ concept vehicle.
- The concept was created by Flexis, the joint venture firm consisting of Renault Group, Volvo Group, and logistics firm CMA CGM.
- Designed with feedback from professional drivers, the ZFlexEVan uses Ampere’s Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture – allowing remote updating of the vehicle, which Renault say could reduce use costs of the van by around 30%.
Meet Renault’s vision of future electric vans, inspired from a 1950s design
Much like an increasing number of recent and future electric Renault launches, the ZFlexEVan also draws its design inspiration from a classic Renault model: In this case, the new concept’s design pays tribute to the Renault Estafette, a classic cargo van that originates from the late 1950s. However, that design language seems to be paying off for the brand, so far.
Renault have demonstrated a need for an easily manoeuvrable, spacious, and zero-emission van for delivery, citing an ‘exponential’ growth in freight transport, and an increasing number of restrictions on vehicles in city and town centres. The manufacturer tells us that the new concept combines both the agility of a Clio hatchback, the length of a Kangoo, and the same load capacity as the much larger Renault Trafic. There are several design features on top of its small footprint, which make it ideal for urban delivery, such as a wraparound front windscreen, helping to increase visibility.
The new concept van is also the first EV from the Renault Group to be based on an SDV architecture, a platform developed by Renault Group’s autonomous firm, Ampere. By learning each specific drivers habits, and allowing remote updates across the life of the vehicle, it is able to reduce usage costs by 30% – a crucial reduction, to convince transportation companies to ditch their ageing ICE-powered vans in favour of EVs.
While just a concept now, it plans to put a similar EV into production in two years time. With the manufacturer already referring to the concept as the ‘Estafette 4.0’ at the IAA, Renault could bring back the classic model name for the production-going model.
Green.TV Media Founder, Ade Thomas, brings us these photos of the Renault ZFlexEVan, direct from IAA Transportation in Hannover:
Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis SAS, commented:
“We are very 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. ZFlexEVan 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.”
