Renault partners with La Poste to trial EZ-FLEX LCV for last mile deliveries

At the Viva Technology show in Paris, Groupe Renault announced an initial experiment with La Poste Group of its Renault EZ-FLEX light commercial vehicle.

The aim is to forge a better understanding of future urban delivery practices.

The collaborative, innovative and original approach between the two companies demonstrates their commitment to sustainable and responsible mobility for urban deliveries. Renault EZ-FLEX, revealed in April 2019, is an experimental, electric and connected light commercial vehicle that is compact and easy to handle and features a modular rear design. Analysis of vehicle data and feedback from postal staff will serve for a greater understanding of the day-to-day realities of last mile deliveries. In the long term, ten Renault EZ-FLEX will be loaned out in Europe to professionals, businesses, towns and communities for periods of up to two years.

“With traffic congestion in cities and the rise of e-commerce, urban deliveries are transforming. As a European leader in vans and light commercial vehicles, Groupe Renault is duty bound to continue proposing disruptive solutions. Renault EZ-FLEX, an experimental light commercial vehicle, gives us the opportunity to join forces with La Poste Group, through an innovative and collaborative approach designed to develop and anticipate future practices in urban deliveries,” said Denis Le Vot, Alliance Director of the Renault-Nissan Commercial Vehicles Division.

“Urban logistics is a key project in our strategy and we have signed agreements with 15 cities to implement solutions adapted to each one. To lay the groundwork for tomorrow's urban logistics, we are innovating continuously and testing new, increasingly responsible and efficient delivery modes that make life easier for our customers and delivery personnel alike. A long-standing partner of La Poste in the implementation of electric vehicle, Renault with EZ-FLEX is proposing an innovative and modular solution. Our feedback will be used to adapt light commercial vehicles to the needs of delivery staff,” said Philippe Dorge, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Services-Mail-Parcels, La Poste Group.

Renault and La Poste will work together to develop the urban delivery ecosystem. Every day, postal workers complete their rounds in city centres, parking, getting in and out of their vehicle over 100 times, and loading and unloading their parcels. They aspire to complete their rounds in an agile and fluid manner, pollution-free.

Renault EZ-FLEX is a compact and easy-handling vehicle designed to meet the mobility requirements of delivery persons. And as an electric vehicle, it ensures sustainable mobility. Its modular rear design may be evolved and will serve to map out future changes to the ecosystem. Renault EZ-FLEX is connected and equipped with an array of sensors. These will be used to collect and analyse data on use, routes, mileage, range, speed and the number of stops, with the objective of forging a better understanding of the reality of everyday deliveries.

The data will be analysed in the light of feedback from delivery personnel, their daily experience and constraints, and the reaction of their environment. All the data will be used to adapt the light commercial vehicle to the challenges of future urban deliveries.