Renault takes over electric van developer Flexis

Renault is now fully taking over the Flexis joint venture from Volvo and the logistics company CMA CGM. The three companies jointly founded Flexis in 2024 to develop a new generation of electrically powered light commercial vehicles. As the first product from this collaboration, Renault will bring the Renault Trafic E-Tech small van to market from the end of 2026.

Renault will take over the shares of Volvo and CMA CGM amounting to 45 and 10 percent, respectively. If the authorities approve the transfer as expected, the takeover could come into effect by the end of the first half of 2026. Renault intends to continue pursuing the plan to offer “groundbreaking” medium-sized electric vans and corresponding services unchanged, according to its statements. Developments since 2024 include, in particular, a skateboard platform for commercial vehicles with almost any body variants, fast charging, and 800-volt battery technology that favors energy efficiency, as well as a so-called “Software Defined Vehicle” architecture.

Production launch imminent

Renault promises to continue utilizing the nearly 1300 employees at various Renault sites. Employees at the Technocentre Guyancourt and the light commercial vehicle competence center in Villiers-Saint-Frédéric are responsible for development, while they are involved in production preparation at the Sandouville plant in Normandy. Production of the Renault Trafic Van E-Tech is scheduled to start there at the end of 2026; it is the first model in a new series of vans with the new 800-volt battery architecture.

The model is also to be marketed by Volvo Group from 2027. With the light electric van, Renault and Volvo are continuing their long-standing cooperation as vehicle manufacturers in the commercial vehicle sector. The logistics company CMA CGM Group was primarily involved with the goal of supporting a project in line with the mobility transition.

Competition for VW's e-Transporter and Kia PV5

The Renault Trafic E-Tech is a van in the format of the VW e-Transporter (test) and is intended to offer a range of up to 450 km in WLTP. At DC fast-charging stations, the battery should be able to be charged from 15 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes, corresponding to a range of 260 km acquired during this time. As an L1 panel van, it offers a cargo volume of 5.1 m³ with a length of 4.87 m and a width of 1.92 m. As an L2, it reaches 5.8 m³ with a length of 5.27 m and a wheelbase 40 cm longer. This makes it a direct competitor to the Kia PV5 (driving report), which can be charged similarly quickly with 400-volt technology.

(fpi)