Flexis is born: electric vans from Renault and Volvo Trucks

The Renault Group and the Volvo Group have finalized their previously announced joint venture, heralding the birth of Flexis. This new brand aims to break a mould in the electric van market by developing and producing models built on an advanced, software-driven 800-volt platform—a first in this segment.

Both companies announced their intent to join forces in October last year and have reaffirmed their commitment to venture together into the eLCV market, which is expected to triple today and the decade’s end. The production starts from the Sandouville factory in France, owned by Renault, and is targeted to begin in 2026.

Merging R&D

Volvo Trucks, which wholly owns Renault Trucks, has no experience in van assembly but brings an investment of € 300 million and a global servicing network. Renault, making the same investment, has a well-developed LCV department featuring both battery-powered and hydrogen alternatives across the range. Both parties have been working with LCVs before, as the Renault Master and Trafic are also distributed through Volvo Trucks’ network. The R&D departments from both parties will be involved, while Flexis will operate from a separate headquarters in France.

Adding to the venture’s robust foundation, CMA CGM, a prominent French logistics company, plans to join as a third investor, contributing an additional 120 million euros following an initial expression of interest last October.

At this point, it is unclear which body formats Flexis will bring to market. But Renault was looking for a production partner for its FlexEVan, a connected last-mile delivery vehicle under trial at a dozen selected customers. A further refined version will most likely be part of the range. Adopting 800-volt technology will accelerate charging speed and reduce the crucial limitation of downtime in this sector.

Reduce cost by 30%

Flexis says that it plans to push the boundaries of vehicle connectivity, offering features that could reduce global logistics costs by up to 30% and provide vehicles that remain up-to-date throughout their lifespan through over-the-air updates. The parent companies want to lend it the flexibility and agility of a startup.

Massive investments in digitization and the appropriate software to assist the bespoke platforms—Flexis will deploy its propriety skateboard architecture—are pushing OEMs into collaborations. Hyundai will license its fully electric eLCV platform to Iveco, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles runs a program together with Ford Pro, and Toyota keeps intensifying its ties with Stellantis.