Flexis Trafic, Goelette and Estafette to be launched in 2026 – with a WLTP range of up to 280 miles
Renault presents three new electric vans. The Estafette, Goelette and Trafic are the first vehicles based on the new Ampere platform. The three vans are the result of a collaboration with Flexis, an independent company created in 2024 by the Renault Group, the Volvo Group and CMA-CGM. They will be built at the Sandouville plant in France and launched in 2026.
The vehicles are based on a scalable SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) architecture. Flexis is placing three different bodies on this skateboard platform. The first vehicle is the new generation Renault Trafic, the first to be equipped with an electric drive, the Renault Trafic E-Tech Electric.
The first Trafic made its debut in 1980 and since then more than 2.5 million have been built – all with combustion engines. The fourth generation is now electric. Renault presents a panel van with a modern, almost futuristic look. With a long wheelbase and wheels positioned far in the corners, the van is designed for optimum space utilisation. However, the turning circle should not be larger than that of the Renault Clio. Thanks to a height of less than 1.90 metres, access to underground car parks is also no problem, according to Renault.
At the front, a thin, continuous light band connects the two daytime running lights, while the headlights are positioned further down. The brand logo is also illuminated in the centre of the light band. The black A-pillars disappear through the seemingly dark tinted windows – whether this will be the case in production remains to be seen as, as far as we know, tinted windows are only allowed at the rear. There are vertical LED tail lights at the rear. There are black body protection strips all round to protect against parking damage.
While the Renault Trafic is probably familiar to many, the model name Renault Goelette is probably only known to fans of historic commercial vehicles. Built between 1945 and 1965, the van is also known as the Renault 1000 kg and was originally designed as a military vehicle. The new version is an electric vehicle and is therefore called the Goelette E-Tech Electric.
The model will be available in three versions: chassis, box and tipper. This allows a wide range of conversions. The front section and the section up to the B-pillar are identical to the electric Trafic, while the rear section can be fitted with various bodies. The pictures show a box, but many other configurations are possible. The rear lights are integrated at the bottom.
Finally, the Estafette E-Tech Electric is a modern reissue of a Renault van from the 1960s and 1970s, apparently intended for urban parcel delivery. The design is inspired by the Estafette Concept, which was unveiled last September. At 5.27 metres long and 1.92 metres wide, the relatively compact vehicle should be easy to manoeuvre through narrow streets. The height of 2.60 metres ensures that a person up to 1.90 metres tall can easily move around the cockpit and load compartment – the term for this type of vehicle is “step-in vehicle”.
The front end is slightly different from the Trafic and Goelette, but clearly shows that they belong to the same family. The filigree light strip is missing here, but the Renault diamond still shines in the middle between the daytime running lights, while the headlights are positioned lower. Getting in and out of the car is done by means of running boards under the rear doors, which continue all the way to the rear. There are two sliding doors. The invisibly integrated tracks are designed to allow easy opening. At the rear, a roller shutter provides access to the luggage compartment. Here, too, black bumpers are fitted all round.
So far there are no details about the powertrains and batteries; Renault says it will wait a few months before revealing them. More information was already available from Flexis at the end of January, but without any reference to Renault. The Flexis vehicles are called Step-in Van, Panel Van and Cargo Van. According to Flexis, the batteries can be charged to 80% in less than 20 minutes. The company also promises a WLTP range of up to 280 miles.
According to InsideEVs USA, the vehicle is based on an 800-volt platform and is driven by a 147 kW electric motor on the front axle. The software is based on the Android operating system from Google. Flexis also published significantly more images than Renault:
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Bottom line
So far, Amazon has been delivering its parcels with an electric delivery van from Rivian, but in future it could also include a Renault Estafette. Just as Kia wants to conquer the commercial vehicle sector with its “PBVs”, Renault now apparently also wants to score points in this area.
The vans bear the Renault rhombus, but come from a company called Flexis, which is an independent company according to the Renault press release. The connection between Renault and the ominous company Flexis, which was only founded in 2024, could become clearer in the coming months. Renault will then publish details. However, initial data on the electric innards has already been provided by Flexis itself.
Sources:
Renault, Flexis