First prototype electric vans made at LEVC’s Coventry factory

The first prototypes of a new hybrid-electric van from LEVC are being manufactured at the company’s factory in Ansty, Coventry, ahead of its launch in April.

Due to the advanced manufacturing flexibility of the LEVC factory, it has been possible to build these verification prototypes on the same line, fully integrated with current production of the company’s electric taxi, the TX.

The prototypes will be deployed as test vehicles and undergo a strict development programme including hot and cold climate testing, durability and crash testing.

LEVC’s electric van is constructed using the same lightweight aluminium architecture as its TX electric taxi. It’s 30% lighter than a conventional steel body, resistant to any form of rust and pound-for-pound can absorb twice the crash energy of mild steel.

Joerg Hofmann, CEO of LEVC, commented: “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 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 will be capable of collecting goods outside of a major city in ‘range extender mode’ i.e. petrol, before switching to electric mode in an urban ultra-low emissions zone.

Using the TX e-City range extender technology, LEVC’s new van hopes to set new standards in green logistics with 80 miles of emissions-free driving and an extended electrically driven total range of over 370 miles.

Owing to its flexible range, it offers a ‘distribution to door’ – not just last mile – service, providing the critical link between out of town depots and city centres.

Since 2014, GEELY has invested more than £500 million into LEVC, allowing it to build an entirely new manufacturing facility in Ansty, Coventry. LEVC manufactures a purpose-built, range extended electric taxi from its factory.

Since January 2018, more than 3,800 electric taxis have been produced, already preventing 30,000 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere and, as a result, saving 17.5 million litres of fuel.

By 2022, the Ansty facility will be working at full capacity, building 20,000 vehicles a year that include the TX Taxi, TX Shuttle and a new electric van which will be launched in 2020.

LEVC www.levc.com