Flexis Launches First Showroom: A New OEM Joint Venture

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!
In an exciting development for the future of urban logistics, the joint venture Flexis, formed by the Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM, has officially opened its inaugural showroom. This marks a significant step in their journey towards launching a fleet of vehicles designed to meet the pressing demands of urban delivery by 2026. With a focus on sustainability, Flexis is paving the way for a new era of 100% electric, connected, and customisable logistics solutions.
Flexis is committed to revolutionising urban transport through its innovative vehicles built on a shared electric vehicle (EV) platform. These vehicles are not just environmentally friendly; they are also designed to be entirely urban-centric, catering specifically to the challenges faced by logistics providers in densely populated areas. The company’s mission is clear: to provide solutions that are 100% electric, 100% connected, 100% adaptable to specific customer needs, and 100% suited for city environments.
At the heart of Flexis’s offerings is the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) electronic architecture, which incorporates advanced embedded software and services. This technology will empower logistics providers to efficiently electrify their fleets while addressing the growing challenges associated with urban logistics. Flexis has already made significant strides in this direction, announcing ten letters of intent with various logistics providers across France, the UK, and Germany. These agreements indicate a potential demand for up to 15,000 vehicles over the next three years.
Among the logistics providers engaged with Flexis are notable names such as Colis Privé from France, HIVED from the UK, and DB Schenker from Germany. The collaborative spirit of Flexis is evident in their development of a range of three vehicles tailored for urban logistics: a step-in van, a panel van, and a cargo van. Each vehicle is fully electric, built to withstand urban conditions, and equipped with connectivity features that enable real-time data transmission to fleet management operators. This functionality is crucial for maximising operational efficiency and effectiveness in urban environments.
These vehicles boast impressive capabilities, including high-capacity battery solutions that allow for rapid charging—achieving 80% charge in less than 20 minutes—and a driving range of up to 450 km according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). Such specifications make them ideal for the demands of urban delivery, where time and efficiency are of the essence.
Flexis has already committed a substantial investment of €350 million towards the development of this innovative product range. As they transition into the industrialisation and pre-production phase in 2025, the company is on track to begin serial production by mid-2026 at Renault Group’s Sandouville plant in France. This timeline underscores their commitment to bringing these cutting-edge vehicles to market as swiftly as possible.
Beyond the vehicles themselves, Flexis is dedicated to developing a suite of B2B-oriented services aimed at aiding logistics operators in their efforts to decarbonise and enhance operational efficiency. Pierre Sirolli, Head of Flexis Services and Solutions, elaborated on this vision, stating:
“Through the data connectivity of the Flexis vehicles and a team of experts, we offer personalised recommendations to improve our clients’ overall operations. This includes solutions like delivery route optimisation, significantly reducing vehicle breakdowns through preventive and predictive maintenance, securing vehicle charging, and providing uninterrupted advisory support. Our goal is to create and implement effective actions to resolve any setbacks.”
Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the collaborative nature of their work:
“Since the inception of Flexis, we have engaged with customers and logistics players to co-create services that address operational needs and enhance our B2B offerings. We are delivering solutions that are not only 100% electric and connected but also fully tailored for urban environments.”
Divry continued to express optimism about the early letters of intent, highlighting the importance of Flexis’s collaborative approach and their deep understanding of the electrification and efficiency needs of logistics players. “We are proposing an offer that allows us to respond to the needs of logistics players in a personalised manner, capable of meeting their sustainability, operational, and economic objectives,” he added.
Feedback from partners further illustrates the positive impact Flexis is poised to have on the logistics sector. Bernard de Guillebon, Managing Director of Colis Privé, stated:
“Thanks to our extensive experience on the roads, Colis Privé’s vision has enabled us to make considerable contributions, especially regarding vehicle size, efficiency, and comfort. Being comfortable in one’s work vehicle is essential, yet not commonplace. We are collaborating with Flexis to create a robust and reliable solution that minimises operational interruptions while also exploring features like predictive maintenance.”
Mathias Krieger, co-Founder and CEO of HIVED, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying:
“We already have a proprietary technology stack and are working with Flexis to integrate solutions that support drivers and enhance operational efficiency. We look forward to incorporating these vehicles into our operations and measuring their impact on the road, as well as influencing the future of the sector.”
Tristan Keusgen, Head of Fleet Management & Future Fleet at DB Schenker, also shared his confidence in Flexis’s innovative approach, stating:
“We are particularly impressed with the vehicles developed by Flexis, which are tailored to meet our specific needs in the last mile of parcel deliveries. The Flexis fleet is designed with urban environments in mind, ensuring they are easier to manoeuvre while accommodating the necessary space for their missions and end users.”
This ambitious initiative by Flexis not only represents a significant advancement in the field of urban logistics but also aligns with broader goals for a sustainable future. As cities continue to grow and urban logistics becomes increasingly complex, the demand for clean, efficient, and adaptable transport solutions will only increase. Flexis is well-positioned to meet these challenges head-on.
In conclusion, the unveiling of Flexis’s first showroom and their commitment to 100% electric and connected urban logistics vehicles signals an important step towards achieving a greener and more efficient transport sector. The collaboration with leading logistics providers and the innovative technology being developed will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of urban delivery systems. As we move closer to 2026, it will be exciting to witness how these advancements unfold and the positive impact they will have on our cities and our environment.
Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking initiative and other developments in the journey towards net zero!