Renault used the IAA Transportation Show in Hannover to display a concept named after the classic 1959 Estafette van. Sixty-five years after the original, the new Estafette concept is designed for urban last-kilometre deliveries and runs on zero-emissions electric power.
Jointly developed with Volvo
The new Estafette has been developed by Renault and Volvo, through the ‘Flexis’ company which those two car makers jointly established, with help from Renault’s own Apmere division, which specialises in electric mobility.
The Estafette concept is a compact city delivery vehicle that Renault says combines “Kangoo L2’s length, Clio’s agility and Trafic L1H2’s load capacity.” That would suggest a maximum load weight of around 1,000kg and an overall length of 4.9 metres.
Urban deliveries
Renault hasn’t given a range for the Estafette yet, but given that it’s been designed as an urban delivery vehicle, don’t expect a hugely lengthy one-charge range. Of more import is that the Estafette and its new ‘FlexEVan’ electric vehicle platform have been designed to deliver a 30 per cent reduction in running costs compared to existing vehicles. The core of the Estafette’s concept is that it has been: “designed around professional drivers, engineered based on their feedback and geared for their needs. It streamlines operations and enhances safety.“
Increasing restrictions
Renault claims that with increasing traffic and emissions restrictions in city centres, the needs of retailers and tradespeople will soon outgrow the capabilities of existing vehicles, hence the need for a total re-think of what a van can be and can do.
“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,” said Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis SAS.