The EZ-FLEX: a compact, modular utility vehicle
The prospects for goods transportation in the decades to come are complex. In cities, last mile delivery must deal with both increased need (and increased client demand for fast, flexible deliveries) and rising restricted access to downtown areas, implemented to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The EZ-FLEX is a smart, electric, concept utility vehicle designed to meet the future needs of the urban delivery industry, which are expected to quadruple by 2050. It is the missing link between small vans and tricycles for the transportation of merchandise.
As a pioneer in electric vehicles and leader in electric light commercial vehicles, we are constantly seeking out new, efficient and sustainable smart-mobility solutions to respond to economic and environmental issues.
Denis Le Vot, Alliance Light Commercial Vehicle Business Unit of Renault-Nissan
A vehicle designed for last mile delivery
At first, the focus was on compactness and maneuverability. Thanks to its dimensions (3.86 meters long, 1.65 meters wide, and 1.88 meters tall,) the EZ-FLEX takes up no more space than a small city car. Its turning circle of 4.5 meters is the finishing touch for easy maneuverability in downtown areas. In order to respond to different professional needs, the vehicle is also modular. Designed for a range of uses, the back component of the EZ-FLEX comes in several different customizable, interchangeable configurations: a “classic” design, a flatbed for the cleaning of public spaces with tools, a module divided into 3 compartments for the delivery of different types of packages, and a refrigerated module for the transportation of meals.
Capacity and range: the technical specs
Despite its small frame, the EZ-FLEX is a true commercial vehicle, offering 3 cubic meters of storage space inside. Loading and unloading are facilitated by the side doors that provide easy access to the entire module, all with an ergonomic loading height 76 cm from the ground. In terms of range, the EZ-FLEX can travel up to 150 km, making it perfectly suited to city deliveries, where the average distance traveled is 50 km per day.
La Poste and the Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole will be testing the Renault EZ-FLEX
The EZ-FLEX is at the heart of an innovative, collaborative experiment designed to gain better insight into everyday last mile delivery. La Poste, a historic partner of Groupe Renault with more than 7000 Kangoo Z.E.s in circulation, will be the first company to test this new utility vehicle in the field. Every day, mailmen and women park and get in and out of their vehicles more than 100 times to unload and deliver packages. La Poste is therefore a perfect opportunity for data collection. The vehicles put into circulation will be equipped with sensors to monitor their use: mileage, number of stops, opening of the modules, speed, etc., to get a better idea of how they are actually used.
The EZ-FLEX test and user feedback will help us collaborate to come up with the solution that is best adapted to future urban delivery needs.
Denis Le Vot, Alliance Light Commercial Vehicle Business Unit of Renault-Nissan
For Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the test will respond to a practical need for utility vehicles that are adapted to use in the city (in terms of size and weight) and identify new logistical solutions as they prepare for the creation of a Low Emission Zone (LEZ). The Renault EZ-FLEX vehicles will be used to deliver school supplies, hygiene products, and small items of equipment to various public sites such as schools and museums. A second experiment will be conducted with Service Ecusson Vert to deliver small packages from a downtown urban logistics space (ULS) to locations around the city.
Copyrights : Frédéric DAMERDJI, Anthony BERNIER, Olivier MARTIN-GAMBIER
