Renault unveils Estafette's electric reincarnation

The future of urban logistics has arrived, according to Renault. The company has unveiled the ZFlexEVan concept, a high-tech electric van inspired by the iconic Estafette. This futuristic vehicle, set to go into production in two years, and is the first tangible result of Renault's partnership with Volvo Trucks under the Flexis banner.

The ZFlexEVan's design borrows cues from the classic Estafette with twin round headlights and soft curves.

Sandeep Bhambra, chief designer of concept cars for Renault's electric car division Ampere, envisions a future where "vans will no longer be anonymous shapes. They will be endearing and expressive and come in eye-catching pop colors." The ZFlexEVan, standing tall at 8.5 ft (taller than a Ford Transit) and stretching 15.98 ft in length, certainly embodies this vision.

The ZFlexEVan's unique dimensions are driven by functionality. Its exceptional height allows drivers to walk upright from the cockpit to the cargo bay, streamlining the delivery process and saving valuable time. According to Renault Group chief Luca de Meo, even a 30-second reduction in delivery time can translate to a 1% increase in profitability for logistics operators.

The van's tight turning circle, is comparable to that of a Renault Twingo, enhances its practicality in tight urban spaces. While Renault hasn't yet revealed the specifics of its electric powertrain, the company claims the ZFlexEVan will be 30% cheaper to operate than conventional diesel vans.

One of the ZFlexEVan's most groundbreaking features is its status as Renault's first software-defined vehicle. This means the van's functionality can be customized and upgraded through over-the-air software updates, much like a smartphone. Although it sounds promising, Renault's record on the software side of vehicles makes us a bit uneasy. Let's hope that by the time the ZFlexEVan hits the road, all gremlins will be ironed out.

Renault wants a future where the dashboard could be reprogrammed to display different functions depending on the vehicle's configuration. This level of flexibility extends to other areas as well, with the potential for future updates to improve the van's range, safety systems, and connectivity to fleet management platforms.

Renault's ambitions for the ZFlexEVan and the broader Flexis venture extend beyond just creating a novel electric van. The company aims to dominate the European van market and sees the ZFlexEVan as a key part of this strategy. De Meo has even likened the project to Tesla's disruptive influence on the passenger car market, calling it "the Tesla of the commercial vehicle in a way." That's a bold statement and an ambitious goal. Let's hope there won't be any unexpected U-turns along the way.

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