In a move towards greener and more efficient urban logistics, the Renault Group and the Volvo Group have joined forces to establish a new company dedicated to the development of an innovative generation of electrified vans. This visionary initiative aims to tackle the pressing need for decarbonization and enhanced efficiency in the logistics sector. Additionally, there are plans for CMA CGM, a key player in global logistics, to join this venture, further solidifying its potential.
The collaborative effort will introduce an entirely new family of fully electric vehicles with software-defined capabilities. Production is set to commence in 2026, promising to disrupt the status quo of urban logistics.
These electric vehicles will be built upon an innovative fully electric LCV skateboard platform, offering modularity to accommodate various body types while maintaining cost efficiency. Moreover, this platform will set new standards in safety, ensuring the well-being of both drivers and pedestrians.
By embracing the Software Defined Vehicle architecture, these vans will incorporate advanced monitoring capabilities for delivery activities and business performance. This technology is projected to reduce the overall cost of logistics operations by a significant 30%. Customers will benefit from continuously updated vehicles throughout their lifecycle. Furthermore, the vans will excel in terms of urban mobility, versatility, and battery capacity, featuring an exceptional 800V power system.
The new company, while enjoying the agility of a startup, will leverage the expertise and robust business plan of three industry champions—Renault Group, Volvo Group, and potentially, CMA CGM. This partnership will enable shared investments in research and development, allowing the new company to build on existing knowledge, services, and industrial capabilities, thus ensuring a solid and efficient business model.
“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. Partnership and collaboration are key to achieve this,” says Martin Lundstedt, President, and CEO of Volvo Group.
“Electrification and digitalization are paving the way for a revolution in the LCV market. Renault Group intends to be a leader in this transformation while ensuring a robust and effective value creation. Today, we are very proud to embark in this journey with Volvo Group to bring the best of solutions to our professional logistic customers. We also look forward to CMA CGM joining the company. The new company is the start-up minded, unmatched combination of the complementary assets of 3 champions: a leading truck maker, expert in tailored services, a champion of the global supply chains and a European EV pioneer & LCV leader. All the ingredients are there to come up with something truly unique,” says Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault Group.
“As a leader in transport and logistics, the CMA CGM Group is proud to join forces with a major European carmaker and a leading global truck maker, Renault Group and Volvo Group, to create this new company of electric vans. This is a comprehensive and innovative partnership: not only are we investing in this project, but we will also bring our know-how and expertise to ensure inbound and outbound logistics, while some of these vehicles could ultimately be used to decarbonize our fleet. Through this new investment by our Pulse Fund in electric mobility, we are pursuing our commitment to accelerate the decarbonization of our activity and our sector,” says Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and CEO of the CMA CGM Group.
Scheduled to commence operations in early 2024, the joint venture is subject to regulatory approvals. CMA CGM’s entry into the venture is contingent on the same regulatory clearance.
This visionary project emerged in response to the France 2030 call for projects, aligning perfectly with innovation and electrification objectives. The new company will have its own corporate identity and be headquartered in France.
Renault Group and Volvo Group have a history of collaboration spanning over 35 years in the light commercial vehicle sector, exemplified by the distribution of Renault Master and Trafic commercial vehicles in both networks. In all other areas, Renault Group and Volvo Group will remain competitors.
