Volvo, Renault join forces on electric vans

Volvo and Renault have officially launched a new company, Flexis SAS, for an all-new generation of electric vans. 

It follows a binding joint venture agreement signed between the automotive firms on October 6, 2023. 

The new company will be based in France and aims to address the growing needs of decarbonised and efficient urban logistics.

The two manufacturers each hold a 45% stake in Flexis and say they plan to each invest 300 million euros (NZ$540m) over the next three years. 

Following the non-binding agreement last year, French shipping and logistics giant CMA CGM has acquired a 10% stake in Flexis SAS. It has confirmed its interest for a strategic investment up to 120 million euros by 2026 through PULSE, its 1.5 billion euro investment fund aimed at fostering the decarbonisation of the logistics value chain.

The European market for electrified vans is expected to grow by 40% per year until 2030.

“The vehicles will be built on a new fully electric LCV skateboard platform that will offer high modularity for different body types at a competitive cost, and breakthrough on safety requirements,” Renault says.

“Adopting the new connected electronic platform, the vehicle will onboard unprecedented capabilities to monitor users’ delivery activity and business performance, reducing up to 30% the global cost of usage for logistic players,” it adds.

The van will feature connected services as well as the first 800V architecture on the market for vehicles in this category.

The vehicles will be produced in Renault’s Sandouville plant, known for its LCV manufacturing, which will recruit 550 people over the next four years, the company says.