At the Viva Technology show in Paris recently, 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 last April, 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.
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 offeedback 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.