Flexis, a joint venture between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM, has revealed its electric van range designed specifically for urban logistics. With production set to begin in 2026, the brand aims to offer fully electric, highly connected, and modular vehicles that cater to the growing demands of last-mile delivery.

What is Flexis?

Flexis has been set up to tackle the challenges faced by urban logistics providers, from restrictive emissions regulations to the practicalities of moving parcels in increasingly congested city streets. The company’s approach is rooted in flexibility — hence the name — with a vehicle range that can be adapted to suit different business needs.

At the heart of the lineup is a shared EV-native skateboard platform, designed from the outset for electric powertrains rather than being an adaptation of an existing combustion-engined vehicle. This means better weight distribution, improved efficiency, and more design freedom to maximise cargo space. The vans will also feature Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture, allowing for real-time updates and deep fleet integration.

“Our mission at Flexis is to support and accelerate the electrification of the urban logistics industry, which is looking to operate more sustainably, improve profitability and improve the operations security and safety for drivers in a sector that continues to grow,” explains Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis. “Since the creation of Flexis, we have worked with customers and logistics players to co-create the services to meet operational needs and improve the B2B offer on the market with a solution that is 100% electric, 100% connected, 100% customisable and 100% designed for cities.”

The vehicles: Three options for last-mile delivery

Flexis has unveiled three models, each designed with specific urban logistics needs in mind, and each able to be fully customised:

Flexis Step-in van

This medium-sized van is built with accessibility in mind. Featuring front sliding doors and a rear shutter door, it allows for quick and efficient parcel handling. The 1.9m internal height means all but the very tallest of drivers can walk inside the van without stooping, making it a practical choice for high-volume delivery routes.

Flexis Cargo van

The most adaptable of the range, this model offers a convertible load box that can be specified to different widths and heights, making it suitable for countless cargo types. There’s also the option of refrigerated boxes for businesses requiring temperature-controlled deliveries.

Flexis Panel van

Designed to be the most manoeuvrable of the trio, this more traditional compact van is ideal for navigating tight city streets. It’s only 1.9m tall — marginally lower than a Volkswagen ID Buzz or Vauxhall Vivaro — which allows it to most height-restricted car parks and loading bays that many other vans struggle with.

The vans will have fast-charging capability, allowing an 80% charge in under 20 minutes. With a range of up to 450km (279 miles) per charge (WLTP), the vehicles are well-suited for urban operations where top-ups can be easily factored into a working day, if necessary.

Smart features and connectivity

It’s not just about the hardware — Flexis is also pushing forward with software solutions to make fleet management smoother. The vans will integrate with existing logistics systems, sending real-time data to fleet operators to help optimise routes, monitor battery levels, and predict maintenance needs before they become problematic.

Pierre Sirolli, Head of Flexis Services and Solutions, emphasised the importance of connectivity: “Through the data connectivity of the Flexis vehicles and a team of experts, we offer personalised recommendations to improve our clients’ overall operations, offering solutions like delivery route optimisation, significantly reducing vehicle breakdowns through preventive and predictive maintenance.”

Flexis van skateboard chassis

Interest from logistics firms

Although the vans won’t hit the road until 2026, Flexis is already generating interest. The company has signed ten letters of intent with logistics providers in France, the UK, and Germany, with a potential demand for up to 15,000 vehicles over three years.

Companies like Colis Privé (France), Hived (UK), and DB Schenker (Germany) are among the first to explore how the Flexis platform can fit their operations. These early adopters will help fine-tune the final product, ensuring it meets the day-to-day demands of fleet operators.

“Hived is looking to reinvent mass market package logistics focused on customer centricity, electric transport and technical innovation,” commented Mathias Krieger, co-Founder and CEO of Hived. “We are excited to influence the development of vehicles truly adapted to our use needs and to the reality of our delivery services. We look forward to integrating the vehicles into our operations and measuring the impact we will have on the road and more largely on influencing the future of the sector.”

Flexis van pricing and availability

With cities tightening emissions rules and companies looking for more efficient and sustainable delivery options, the demand for purpose-built electric vans will only grow. Flexis is entering an increasingly competitive market, but with the backing of Renault, Volvo, and CMA CGM, it has the resources to make an impact.

Flexis has already invested €350 million (£293m) in developing the product range, with prototype testing underway. The company has built 20 prototypes so far, accumulating over 9,000 hours of real-world testing since March 2024.

Production is set to begin in mid-2026 at Renault’s Sandouville plant in France. The vans will be sold directly to logistics providers and fleet managers, while Renault and Renault Trucks will also offer them through their respective sales networks.

Pricing won’t be announced until closer to launch, but by then, Flexis will be competing with a growing number of electric van options, including the Skywell 233 and Farizon SV.

Phil Huff