As far as lofty ambitions go, “the Tesla of vans” is a bold claim to make. However, that’s precisely the aim of a new joint venture between Renault, Volvo and the French logistics company GMA GGM, with the trio entering into a new collaboration to manufacture a range of battery-electric vans for the box freight and other last-mile delivery sectors.

Though Renault already has electric vans of its own in the form of the Trafic E-Tech and Kangoo E-Tech, the Flexis vans won’t be based on existing product. Instead, the joint venture will develop an entirely new 800V ‘skateboard’ platform that its vehicles will be built atop, with the first three Flexis vans to be a conventional panel van, a step-through delivery van and a box truck. Two battery sizes will be offered, however it’s unclear at this point what energy capacity they will have and what kind of single-charge range will be offered – though ultra-fast charging, likely using the incoming Megawatt Charger System, is to be standard.

Maximum space efficiency will be a hallmark of the Flexis products, with an ultra-long wheelbase pushing the axles right to the extremities of the platform and the skateboard architecture pushing all mechanical components below the deck and providing a completely flat floor for cargo. The result, according to Flexis, will be a medium-size van that occupies a smaller footprint than the Renault Trafic, but boasts substantially greater cargo volume.

The first results of the Flexis joint venture are expected to hit the market sometime in 2026 and will be built in France. Prices are still under wraps, but Flexis promises lower total cost of ownership versus diesel vans.