Following on from the EZ-PRO Concept revealed at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover last year, Renault has shown-off another futuristic all-electric light commercial vehicle called the EZ-FLEX. Designed to cope with congested urban delivery driving, it features a tight turning circle, an optimally-sized load bay in comparison to its footprint and simple, functional controls.
Renault says the number of transported goods is expected to quadruple by 2050, while the number of people living in urban environments will rise to 60 per cent of the population by 2030. The EZ-FLEX is offered as a solution to the rapidity of modern urban deliveries, accelerated in recent years due to the growth of online purchasing.
The EZ-FLEX has a claimed all-electric range of 100km (62 miles), making it suitable for use in low-emission environments. Renault insists this range will be adequate for an urban delivery vehicle, a category of van which it claims covers only around 30 miles a day on average. The load bay will also be configurable, allowing it to meet the different needs of each profession that might use the van.
Renault plans to lend 12 examples of the EZ-FLEX to a range of European businesses, cities and municipalities, to test its performance under real-world working conditions. The EZ-FLEX will enter its experimental research and development stage shortly, with Renault’s first partner for the programme due to be announced in May.
Each test van will be fitted with a range of sensors, recording the van’s location, mileage, range, speed, delivery frequency and cargo bay use. This data, along with the drivers’ feedback, will allow Renault’s engineers to better understand the EZ-FLEX’s use and tailor development targets more accurately around its shortcomings.
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