PARIS: The Renault Estafette concept electric van is a glimpse into how Flexis – a joint venture by Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group – will rise to the challenges in the energy transition and last-kilometre logistics
The Estafette concept is designed for cities. It is a compact yet spacious all-electric van combining Kangoo L2’s length, Clio’s agility and Trafic L1H2’s load capacity.
The Estafette concept is fully connected and leverages the SDV (Software-Defined Vehicle) architecture in the FlexEVan platform developed by Ampere.
SDV electronic architectures play an essential role in increasing performance and cost-efficiency in new-generation vehicles.
They also integrate advanced features including real-time updates and predictive maintenance. Overall, they help to reduce cost in use by about 30%.
The pocket sliding side doors open with one swift motion, so the driver doesn’t have to constantly pull them outwards and backwards then back again.
They save a substantial amount of time and are much easier on the driver’s wrist when they make dozens of stops a day.
The shutter at the rear rolls around itself, opening up the van’s full height.
And it doesn’t have a tailgate or swing-out doors, so you don’t need any clearance space behind (even though a large step unfolds automatically every time you open the shutter).
The van can for example reverse all the way up to a dock for easy loading, for a total load capacity close to that of a Trafic L1H2 (7.1 cu. metres).
The shutter is used exclusively for loading and the sliding door alongside the pavement is used exclusively for unloading, to keep the driver completely safe.
The sleek outline – the only prominent feature is the ripple underlining the grille bar – gives Estafette concept a gentle feel that conceals technology at the height of perfection. Think Smeg fridge meets plush toy.
To provide the driver with a panoramic view of the urban surroundings, the gigantic windscreen wraps around the side, connecting to two strikingly ample windows forming a triptych.
From the outside, the inconspicuous frame helps to create a high-tech “helmet visor” effect, hinting at the van’s advanced safety features.
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. And anyone up to 1.90 metres tall can stand up perfectly straight inside.
The platform under the seat has 7 drawers (3 on the door side, 4 on the other side).
The Estafette concept’s 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.
The base of the screen, the surface at the centre of the steering wheel and the area towards the door include a series of widgets providing one-tap access to the driver’s favourite features.
The multimedia system’s open technology can run a variety of software applications developed specifically for the trades using the vehicle.
Two 10-inch vertical screens at the end of the dashboard display the rear views from the outside cameras.
Towards the centre, you can’t miss the cylindrical shape on the dashboard.
This area is a solid counterpoint to the airier, techy feel in the screens to the side. The grooving on the cylinder and under the dashboard is built to hold a choice of open or closed storage modules.
A second, matching cylinder provides extra storage space beneath the windscreen, supplementing the overhead bin.
Patterned small squares add a 3D feel to the flat surfaces and the screen wallpaper.
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.
Every detail of the exterior and interior design is streamlined for smooth and extremely safe operation.
During rounds, for instance, the driver will never need to open the rear shutter or step out onto the road. This keeps them safe – and their goods safe (the cargo is never accessible or visible from outside the van).
