LEVC van named VN5

LEVC has confirmed its new electric light commercial van will be called the VN5.

The compact model has a five cubic meter cargo area and an electric range of 63 miles.

A range extender petrol engine gives the VN5 a total range of 301-miles.

Recharging the van’s battery takes around 30 minutes when using a 50Kw charger.

Aligned with LEVC’s overall product naming strategy, the same technical and functional nomenclature has been used for van. As with TX for taxi, VN is chosen for van and ‘5’ to represent the volume of the cargo area.

LEVC CEO Joerg Hofmann said: “Our new VN5 further signifies our transformation from the iconic British taxi brand to leading electric commercial vehicle manufacturer. VN5 is a purpose-built zero emission capable electric light van that offers class leading running costs, flexible zero emissions capable range and unrivalled durability. Following our success with TX in the taxi market, VN5 is now set to revolutionise green logistics.”

The VN5’s cargo capacity easily accommodates two Euro sized pallets with a gross payload of more than 800Kg. It has been built with a side-loading door (enabling a pallet to be side-loaded) and a 60/40 split door at the rear.

It uses the same architecture and powertrain as LEVC’s TX electric taxi, including its aluminium structure.  

LEVC says the VN5 is designed to provide ‘distribution to door’ – not just last mile – capability, creating a link between out of town depots and city centres. Based on a real-world 47-mile delivery route into central London, VN5 can make approximately twice the amount of journeys and deliveries as its segment competitors, by having the flexibility to operate emission (and penalty) free in the city’s restricted ULEZ environment.

Full production of VN5 will commence at LEVC’s state-of-the-art factory in Q4 this year, with volume expected to take up 70% of the annual 20,000-unit production capacity.