Detailed Q & A on the Renault FlexEVan electric campervan—specs, pricing, ultra‑fast charging, modular interior and how it stacks up to ID.Buzz & Kia PV5.
Q1 – Why is everyone suddenly talking about the Renault FlexEVan electric campervan?
Because its maker, Flexis—a Renault/Volvo/CMA CGM joint venture—claims to solve the three classic camper‑EV headaches in one shot: price, cabin space and charging time. The brochure promises 800 V ultra‑fast charging (20 → 80 % in 18 min), a 7.1 m³ cargo volume and a skate‑board SDV chassis that frees up a flat, modular floor.
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| Reviewer pointing at a Renault FlexEVan prototype – retro meets future |
Q2 – What are the headline specifications?
| Spec | Renault FlexEVan | Note |
|---|
| Platform | SDV skate‑board | OTA‑upgradable |
| Battery / Voltage | 800 V, capacity TBA | 18 min 20→80 % |
| Interior volume | 7.1 m³ | Trafic L1H2 class |
| Conversion time | < 5 min bed ↔ cargo | Rail‑mounted modules |
| Launch | EU Q3 2026 | KR H1 2027 (expected) |
Source: Renault Media global press kit
Q3 – It looks perfect on paper, so where’s the catch?
1. Charging infrastructure – only ~320 public 800 V stalls in Korea (July 2025 data).
2. High roof + 2.6 t curb weight – noticeable body roll in side‑winds (InsideEVs test).
3. Camper‑specific spare parts – Renault Korea stocks are limited; Volvo‑Truck centers may become an unofficial back‑up network.
Q4 – How does it compare with Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Kia PV5?
| Item | FlexEVan | ID.Buzz Pro | Kia PV5* |
|---|
| Voltage | 800 V | 400 V | 400 V |
| 20→80 % time | 18 min | 30 min | 28 min |
| Cabin volume | 7.1 m³ | 5.6 m³ | 6.2 m³ |
| Est. KR price | 60 M KRW | 72 M KRW | 68 M KRW |
*PV5 figures based on pre‑production briefings.
Q5 – What does one weekend of real‑world use look like?
A Seoul‑based van‑life club borrowed a prototype, drove 68 km to Songjiho Beach and camped overnight. The Renault FlexEVan electric campervan held a queen mattress, fold‑out kitchen and 200 W solar panel. Energy use averaged 22 kWh/100 km fully loaded, matching its ID.Buzz rival despite a larger frontal area. Only issue: roof‑fan vibration above 100 km/h. (Full diary in our post “Electric RV Motorhomes—Top 7 Models”).
Q6 – Is modularity really practical?
Yes. Rails let you unlatch the kitchen box and reinstall cargo drawers in under five minutes. Several YouTube creators have already trial‑fitted a detachable mobile‑office pod. Flexis says future OTA updates will certify third‑party modules—true SDV thinking.
Q7 – What’s the financial reality?
Renault insiders hint at €45–50 k base pricing; Korean VAT pushes it to roughly 60 million KRW. Compared with a diesel Trafic camper build (≈ 55 M KRW after conversion), the delta narrows once you add fuel & maintenance savings.
Q8 – Can 800 V anxiety be solved before 2027?
The Ministry of Land & Transport plans 1,000 ultra‑fast stalls by 2027. Until then, owners can:
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run a 200 W rooftop panel (outputs ≈ 1 kWh/day),
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carry a portable 7 kW AC charger,
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plan routes via PlugShare’s >800 V filter.
Q9 – What OTA features does the SDV platform enable?
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Adaptive charge curve tuning (summer/winter)
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Remote air‑con “night mode” for silent camping
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Software‑locked torque boost (paid upgrade)
These updates should slow depreciation—an edge the Renault FlexEVan electric campervan holds over traditional ICE campers.
Q10 – Who should (and shouldn’t) pre‑order?
Good fit : urban delivery fleets that moonlight as weekend campers, early adopters with home PV arrays.
Wait‑and‑see : full‑time mountain campers; buyers living > 30 km from any Renault/Volvo service point.
Q11 – Reader quick tips before signing the contract
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Check 800 V map along your favourite camping loop.
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Request a total cost sheet with bed + kitchen + solar modules.
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Confirm resale clauses—some leasing firms cap mileage on SDV vans.
More pitfalls unpacked in “Electric Camper Van Fail Stories—When Dream Builds Go Wrong.”
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| Split view: lime‑green cockpit and outdoor camp setup with solar panel |
Q12 – Bottom line
The Renault FlexEVan electric campervan is the first mass‑market EV to approach diesel‑motorhome practicality without the diesel. Its success, however, hangs on infrastructure roll‑out and after‑sales logistics. If those two pillars firm up, FlexEVan could dominate the ultra‑fast‑charging e‑van niche for years.
✅ Internal Links
1. Renault E-Tech Camper Vans 2025: Trafic, Estafette, Master Complete Guide
"If you're considering Renault's electric campervans, check out our complete guide to Renault E-Tech camper vans including the popular Trafic, Estafette, and Master models."
2. Volkswagen California eHybrid Review: 10 Reasons It’s Different from ID.Buzz
"To explore more about the ID.Buzz’s competitor, don't miss our detailed review of the Volkswagen California eHybrid, highlighting the top 10 differences that set it apart."
3. Kia PV5 Electric Campervan: Price, Modules & Solar Roof Ultimate Review
"For another close competitor, dive into our ultimate guide to the Kia PV5 electric campervan
✅ External Links
1. Official Press Kit - Renault FlexEVan Concept
"To dive deeper into the FlexEVan’s detailed specs and design concepts, explore Renault’s official press kit."
2. InsideEVs Highway Test Review
"For real-world driving performance insights, read the highway test review by InsideEVs, showcasing actual charging times and driving range."
3. Reuters Interview with Flexis CEO
"In a recent Reuters interview, Flexis CEO Philippe Divry revealed pricing strategies and future plans for the Renault-Volvo EV van partnership."
About Author
Won‑Jun | EV & Van‑life Columnist
“Data first, hype later.”
© 2025 Molracha. All rights reserved.
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