A new era of electric vans is on the horizon, thanks to a strategic partnership between Renault Group, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM Group. The three industry leaders have announced their intention to create a new company that will develop and offer a cutting-edge family of fully electric and software-defined vehicles for the logistics sector.
The new company, which is expected to open in early 2024 in France, will combine the strengths and expertise of its partners to deliver innovative solutions for transport and supply chain players. Renault Group will bring its know-how to develop and manufacture at scale the electric platform and the first software-defined vehicle architecture, which will enable seamless connectivity between the vehicle and the business environment. Volvo Group will leverage its strong customer base of professional logistic companies, global service network, and wide experience in uptime and productivity services. CMA CGM Group, a global leader in the supply chain domain, will invest through its Pulse Energy Fund and provide tailored solutions catering to the diverse needs of transport and supply chain players.
The new family of electric vans will be available in 2026 and will target the fast-rising demand for clean, efficient, and safe urban transportation. The vehicles will be built on a skateboard platform, enabling high modularity for different body types at low cost and with a claimed breakthrough on safety requirements. Their compact design will enable urban mobility while different battery capacities will be on offer to suit needs and an 800V charging architecture will deliver fast charging times. Thanks to their new software-defined vehicle architecture, the electric vans will offer services that could reduce the global cost of usage for logistic firms by 30%.
This collaboration is set to re-shape the world of electric vans and pave the way for a more sustainable transport system. Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group, said: “Electrification and digitalization are paving the way for a revolution in the LCV market. Renault Group intends to lead this transformation while ensuring a robust and effective value creation.” Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of Volvo Group, commented: “We are excited to take yet another step in our journey towards sustainable transport solutions through the intended establishment of a new company. Volvo Group is keen to continue to offer its customers complete transport solutions that help them decarbonize their value chains. We see a growing demand for clean, efficient, and safe urban transportation and partnership and collaboration is key to achieve this.”