Helixx takes wraps off pioneering electric van

A UK-based company which is developing a manufacturing system to allow businesses around the world to build their own electric vehicles has revealed its first demonstration van.

Helixx, which is developing a software-led management platform, is planning for its van to enter production in 2024 and it will be accompanied by a pick-up truck for the construction industry, as well as open-body and a closed-body passenger vehicles for ride-hailing fleets.

The company says its digital-first ecosystem transcends all aspects of legacy automotive manufacturing and empowers regional businesses to build white-label mini commercial EVs for last-mile delivery, construction, Tuk-Tuk and ride-hailing fleets in local, scalable licenced Helixx Mobility Hubs within a circular manufacturing ecosystem. 

Steve Pegg, CEO and co-founder of Helixx, said: “We developed this demonstration vehicle to prove and stress-test the global replicability of our digital-first approach.

“The vehicle visually represents what licensed Helixx Mobility Hubs can produce in as little as 180 days from initial site survey to vehicles rolling out on to the street, offering subscribers access from $0.25 per hour.

“Our demonstration vehicle will now enable us to amplify our customer engagement and gain valuable feedback from the market.”

The vehicle’s body system has been designed around a specific set of rules to enable replication and comprises of just five key structural components.

All five components ‘click and bond’ together for effortless assembly, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and resulting in a robust and durable vehicle.

Helixx says this construction has 30% less mass and hundreds of fewer individual components than traditional vehicles.

The electric van is based on a hybrid aluminium chassis and provides a 2,100-litre capacity and a 500-kg maximum payload. It features a 110cm rear door width and 140cm load bay length,  enabling it to accommodate the majority of global shipping pallets. The body is 3.2 metres long and 1.5 metres wide.

A unique feature is the central driving position, with a single seat that not only optimises load space but also ensures compatibility with both left- and right-hand-drive markets. 

Helixx says following validation and in-market feedback on the demonstrator vehicle, the company is well placed within a roadmap to commence a Gen Zero production run of 100 vehicles at its pilot hub in the UK, before customer vehicle and factory rollout commences at a concept hub in Southeast Asia.