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Renault Group is in discussions with Volvo Trucks to collaborate on the French carmaker’s new FlexEVan electric van project that will help it compete with Stellantis in Europe, according to people familiar with the matter.
Talks with Volvo Trucks, which is the parent company of Renault Trucks and is the world’s second-biggest truckmaker, are continuing and there is no certainty that an agreement will be reached, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they were discussing private information.
The FlexEVan, which would be used for “last mile” deliveries and tradespeople, is due to be launched in 2026. Renault’s Mobilize mobility services unit will have a version, tentatively called Hippo. The van is based on Renault’s EZ-Flex concept, and will be built on a so-called skateboard chassis.
Media representatives at Renault and Volvo Trucks declined to comment. Renault CEO Luca de Meo has said the van will be built with a nonautomotive partner.
Renault will share the FlexEVan with Nissan in Europe, the companies said this week, touting the project as one of about 10 they will continue collaborating on as part of their reshaped alliance. This week’s hard-won deal has opened the way for Renault to collaborate with new partners to better tackle the EV shift, which so far include China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group and Qualcomm.
The FlexEVan will add to Renault’s light commercial vehicle lineup, which sold over 330,000 units last year. Renault currently sells a full-electric version of its small Kangoo van.
Stellantis sold about 500,000 vans last year in Europe, under brands including Citroen, Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Fiat.
The vehicle will target urban delivery needs with full connectivity for real-time fleet management, CEO Luca de Meo said on at the company’s capital markets day in November.
Back then, de Meo said Renault planned to create Flexis, a partnership with a component producer to develop a specialized EV platform for the new van family. Renault has already been in talks with logistic operators and big fleet customers to potentially collect pre-orders, he said at the time.
Separately, Renault also has a joint venture with fuel-cell maker Plug Power Inc., called Hyvia, to build hydrogen-powered vans.