LEVC, the manufacturer behind the world’s only purpose-built range extended electric taxi, has unveiled a zero-emission capable light van for urban deliveries.
Revealed by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and LEVC CEO Joerg Hofmann at the Institution of Engineering and Technology on June 17 – where the city committed to introducing five new flagship charging hubs, new rapid charging infrastructure and a dedicated one-stop-shop to handle infrastructure enquiries – LEVC’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) has been designed to meet rapidly increasing global demand for green, electrified commercial transport; and medium-sized vans capable of moving goods around urban areas efficiently, while helping to improve air quality.
Based on the same architecture and proven e-City range extender technology as LEVC’s TX taxi, of which there are now just under 2,000 on the roads, this second vehicle from LEVC will give operators and drivers huge amounts of flexibility with an electric range of 80 miles (128km) and a combined petrol and EV range of 377 miles (606km).
Targeting those who travel around 100 miles (160km) a day, LEVC’s LCV will offer ‘distribution to door’ – not just last mile. It will provide the link between out of town depots and city centers, and is capable of collecting goods outside of a major city in range extender mode, before switching to EV mode in an Ultra-Low Emissions Zone. This is currently a sector of the market dominated by one tonne medium size diesel vans.
LEVC’s CEO Joerg Hofmann said, “Future urban transport is already changing rapidly, and we have a golden opportunity to bring something new and disruptive to this market. The light commercial vehicle sector is the only growing vehicle traffic segment in London. This is due to the rapid rise in internet shopping – the ‘Amazonization’ of retail.
“Every day there are 65,000 unique LCV journeys into London, but mobility must not come at the expense of air quality. London’s ULEZ is a blueprint and all major UK cities will introduce a Clean Air Zone by 2020. There is huge demand for a medium-sized zero emissions capable light van and the solution we offer will be more than capable of meeting the requirements of a rapidly evolving green logistics market.”
Full details of the LEVC LCV will be revealed closer to its official launch, but LEVC can say that its new LCV will target best-in-class total cost of ownership, thanks to savings in fuel and servicing over conventional vans. It will also have durability guaranteed: LEVC has tested the new van to the world’s highest durability standards, adapting its million-mile TaxiDur test for the light commercial vehicle.
Hofmann added, “We have combined our existing knowledge of the urban environment with EV technology that can put urban mobility on a sustainable pathway. Durable, reliable, efficient, cost effective and high quality, that is our new LCV.
“London and the UK will be first to market, then we will extend the vehicle to Europe and further afield. Our goal is to be the leading European electric commercial vehicle provider.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said:
“I am delighted that LEVC is applying the lessons learned from designing and building London’s electric black cabs to this new van. Developing clean, sustainable, electric vehicles is essential in order to tackle our air quality emergency and the climate change crisis. London’s commitment to clean air policies is driving our pursuit of a positive electric future for all.”
LEVC manufactures the world’s only purpose-built, range extended electric taxi. Since 2014, its parent company Geely has invested £500m (US$625m) in a production facility in Ansty, Coventry, where the new LCV will be made alongside the TX. In the near future, LEVC will add to its commercial vehicle range with a new line-up of models that will use shared technology with Geely Commercial Vehicles.