Renault becomes mobility provider

With various initiatives presented at Viva Technology in Paris, Renault is making a clear move from vehicle provider into mobility provider. Here are their 5 key strategies on a row.

1.    Autonomous

In a partnership with the University of Paris-Saclay they created the Paris-Saclay Autonomous Lab. As the name suggest, the lab will be focused on autonomous mobility. The main goals will be to create a completely autonomous transport system, from autonomous vehicles to supervision systems, topped off with connected infrastructure and even customer applications. 

Three Renault ZOE Cab prototype cars and a Transdev-Lohr i-Cristal shuttle will be used in pilot projects for autonomous ridehailing. As such, the test lab aims to prove the scalability of autonomous mobility services. 

2.    Mobility Pod

Take the autonomous view a step further, and you end up with Renault’s EZ-POD, the small autonomous robot-car. The fully electric micro car can transport people over small (urban) distances. Shared, electric, autonomous and ‘micro’ the EZ-POD aligns with the dynamics in urban transportation. Especially its limited speed and compactness make of urban mobility pods the perfect fit. Read more about micro cars of other car manufacturers.

3.    Electric

In another partnership – with French shopping centre operator Klépierre, Groupe Renault will install multiple charging points for EVs at various shopping centres in France. Moreover, Renault has committed to equip all shopping centres of Klépierre with charging points by 2022. 

The charging stations will be able to be reserved via Renault’s Moov’in.Paris scheme, which will give access to its short-term car rental service as well. All these initiatives are aiming to stimulate electric  and shared mobility. 

4.    Shared

In a partnership with SNCF, Groupe Renault – and more particularly its startup Karhoo, launches a mobility platform in which train trips are combined with both the offer of taxi companies and of ridehailing companies. A unique combination so far. 

The service is called ‘Mon Chauffeur’ and will be included in the offer of TGV Inoui, so people can book their taxi or ridehailing ride at the same time while booking a train ticket in the app oui.sncf. The advantages: finding the best rate, having a guaranteed booking, and have the choice between various different kind of vehicles depending on your travel needs. 

5.    Last Mile

And lastly, Groupe Renault is working on last mile delivery as well. At the Viva Technology show in Paris, they announced an initial experiment with La Post Group for last mile delivery with its Renault EZ-Flex LCVs. The EZ-Flex as launched in April, is an electric LCV which is designed for urban deliveries by being compact and modular. Yet, the aim of the experiment is to collect and analyse data and feedback from the vehicle and the postal staff in order to create a better understanding of the current last mile process and to enhance the future urban delivery practices. Moreover, ten Renault EZ-Flex LCVs can be borrowed by European professionals, businesses, towns and communities for periods of up to two years – yet that is a long-term plan. 

Image: Renault's EZ Pod, the micro urban car of the future. (credits @Renault Groupe)