Coventry, UK: The first prototypes of the new van from London Electric Vehicle Company are being built at the company’s Ansty factory.
The vans will debut at this year’s CV show on the 28 April. The prototype test vehicles will undergo a development and homologation programme, including hot and cold climate testing, durability and crash testing.
The van is constructed using the same lightweight aluminium architecture as the company’s TX electric taxi so is 30% lighter than a conventional steel body and corrosion proof. Pound for pound the body can absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel.
It also shares class-leading manoeuvrability with a city-friendly turning circle of 10.1m and will offer “class leading total cost of ownership” the company says.
Joerg Hofmann, chief executive, London Electric Vehicle Company, said: “Prototype stage is an important milestone in our new electric van’s development process as we stay on track towards full production in Q4.
“This new van satisfies the growing demand for zero-emissions vehicles in the 1-tonne segment, currently dominated by diesel products, and combines this with extended mileage capability to totally eliminate any range-anxiety. It’s an intelligent green mobility solution for any commercial vehicle operator.”
The van uses TX e-City range extender technology, to give a 130km (80 miles) range and an extended electrically driven total range of over 600km (370 miles). The range means thre van offers a ‘distribution to door’ – not just last mile – service, so can link out of town depots and city centres, the company says.
