The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has begun production of its new electric van in prototype form.

The first vehicles to roll off the production line in Ansty, Coventry, will be used as test vehicles for homologation and development testing.

LEVC will showcase the new van at the CV Show in April. It is constructed using the same lightweight aluminium architecture as the TX electric taxi - 30% lighter than a conventional steel body, resistant to any form of rust and with twice the crash energy absorption of mild steel.  

It also shares the taxi’s manoeuvrability with a city-friendly turning circle of just 10.1m.

LEVC says its electric van will offer “class leading” total cost of ownership.  

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 TX production.

Joerg Hofmann, CEO of LEVC, 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 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.”  

Using the TX e-City range extender technology, LEVC’s new van will offer 80 miles of emissions free driving and an extended electrically driven total range of more than 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.

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