IAA 2024, the Renault Estafette electric concept van is a glimpse of the Flexis joint venture

At IAA 2024, Renault unveiled the Estafette electric concept van. According to Renault, Estafette “is a compact yet spacious all-electric van combining Kangoo L2’s length, Clio’s agility and Trafic L1H2’s load capacity“. The Concept van is fully connected and leverages the SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) architecture in the FlexEVan platform developed by Ampere.

Renault Group is using the new FlexEVan platform that Renault developed with its partners in Flexis to build its vision of the next dream utility vehicle. “We are very excited about helping to bring to life the vision that Renault Group and its partners Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group have come up with to revolutionise urban logistics, to make operations more sustainable, safer, city-friendlier, driver-friendlier and neighbour-friendlier. Estafette Concept is the first example of what electric utility vehicles will look like tomorrow: purpose-engineered to drive in cities, compact, connected and built for fully sustainable delivery services”, commented Philippe Divry, CEO, Flexis SAS.

Renault recalls the original Estafette, dating back to 1959

Dating back to 1959, the original Estafette was the very first Renault brand vehicle to fit the entire powertrain – engine and transmission – at the front to free up all the space behind for loading. The new Estafette 4.0 is the first to feature the FlexEVan electric platform, which is poised to upend the utility vehicle landscape.

Estafette Concept’s footprint (4.87 x 1.92 metres) is in the same league as Kangoo L2’s (4.91 x 1.86 metres). They both fit in a standard parking spot (less than 5 metres long), while being more agile, with a turning circle between kerbs similar to that of a Clio (just over 10 metres). But Estafette Concept is considerably higher (2.59 metres compared with 1.85), so its silhouette is distinctly vertical.

The cockpit area

Inside the van, the cockpit area is all zesty yellow and has a single seat for the driver (the foldaway seat next to it is exclusively for training). The seat is on a platform, so the driver is in a comfortable, secure position. All they have to do is swivel the seat to stand up without any extra strain on their legs or torso. The dashboard is packed with technology and has no visor in the steering wheel area. It is divided into a 7-inch screen displaying dashboard information and a 12-inch screen towards the middle, facing the driver.

A sliding door divides the cockpit from the cargo area. It closes automatically when the driver returns to the cockpit or exits the vehicle – so the goods in the back are safe at all times. The cargo area has four foldaway shelves where the driver can arrange goods in a clear and logical manner.

What does a software defined vehicle mean

SDV architecture was developed by Ampere, Renault Group’s pure-player specialist in intelligent electric vehicles, is directly connected to the cloud, and plays an essential role in increasing the vehicle’s operational and cost efficiency. SDV technology is especially helpful in utility vehicles because it provides a variety of new possibilities for personalisation – which are in very high demand among professionals. It also enables customers to add high-efficiency power outlets, which are essential for a number of conversions. According to Renault, the experience in an SDV is like the one at home when we upgraded from a dial-up modem to ADSL then fibre optics: the amount of data we can download is considerably higher.