RENAULT/MOBILIZE

The Renault and partners has a very attractive solution for deliveries

EZ-FLEX 100% electric van: facilitating urban deliveries...To better understand the needs and expectations of users - public administrations or companies - in 2019 the Renault Group launched a pilot project with several partners, such as the French postal company, the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole group of municipalities and the City of Montpellier , in addition to the electrical delivery solutions company Services Ecusson Vert (SEV), to collect feedback on field experiences.

“The pilot project of the EZ-FLEX van, carried out in partnership with the Renault Group for deliveries in an urban logistics context, allowed for a real dialogue to be created between the local government, the SEV logistics operator and local businesses, to co-create the mobility of the future and foster the attractiveness of the city center, which plays an important role in the growth of the metropolitan region. This project is part of a proactive policy of our municipality, to promote disruptive mobility in 2025”, highlighted Michael Delafosse, Mayor of the city of Montpellier and President of the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole group. The pilot project is based on the EZ-FLEX, a 100% electric, compact and agile van, designed to facilitate the delivery person's access to urban centers. It offers a swivel diameter of 4.5 meters, providing excellent handling on the streets of large cities.

The vehicles made available to companies are equipped with sensors to collect geolocation, mileage, autonomy, door opening and speed data, as well as stops. Ergonomics received special attention. Access to the driver's seat facilitates entry and exit of the vehicle, which is very important for those who make dozens of deliveries a day. Cargo handling is also optimized by the ergonomic height of the cargo compartment and openings that allow easy access to the entire cargo surface. Various modules have been rear-tested to better respond to the different needs of professional customers.

Creating complete service solutions...With the end of the first phase of the pilot project, which ends at the end of the year, the Renault Group will be able to draw valuable lessons for developing future vehicles for urban deliveries. The pilot tests confirm the interest in 100% electric motorization, allowing for a more relaxed and stress-free driving, a factor highly valued by deliverymen and city dwellers. The reduced turning diameter favors the vehicle's compactness and handling, which were highly praised by users.

The large openings without hinges and without a center column along the load compartment were highly praised, as well as the smaller diameter wheels, which facilitate loading and unloading operations due to the height of just 0.7 m from the ground. To reach this configuration, different heights of the rear floor were tested, to make the work of the couriers easier and to improve ergonomics. Several tests of the configuration of the cabin area were also carried out. The driver's seat adjustments have been rethought to facilitate entry and exit, regardless of driver size. Thanks to the inclusion of keyless technology during the testing phase, couriers don't have to put packages on the ground to open or close doors. Traffic safety received equal attention and the location of the external mirrors was revised, contributing to the vertical position of the windshield column and providing better visibility. In 15% of cases, couriers usually exit the cabin on the passenger side, which is easier thanks to the flat floor and the folding passenger seat.

All these exchanges of information with project partners will fuel the development of the Mobilize Hippo van, which will be sold by the brand for the delivery of the last kilometer.

Other tests are under study, mainly in terms of services. In this second phase, Mobilize will be able to define its future solutions for professional customers, associating services and vehicles specially adapted for the delivery of the last kilometer.

“Field testing gives us an understanding of the real needs of customers. The information we collect from our partners allows us to offer perfectly adapted solutions to our future customers, both in terms of vehicles and associated services”, says Jean-Christophe Labarre, director of innovation, partnership strategy and mobility services at Mobilize.

EZ-FLEX van in numbers:

-Motorization: 100% electric

-Length: 3860 mm

-Width: 1650 mm

-Height: 1,880 mm

-Wheelbase: 2,495 mm

-Swivel diameter: 4,500 mm

-Load capacity: 300 kg, up to 3 m3

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