LEVC adds Octopus Energy to its UK real-world VN5 electric van trials

LEVC has added Octopus Energy as a partner company to help with real-world testing of its new VN5 electric van.

LEVC’s VN5 trial phase is taking place over the next few months and will see over 25 partners, including DPD and Royal Mail, take delivery of test vehicles, ranging from tool and equipment hire; to energy suppliers and delivery services.

These companies have been specifically chosen to put the new electric van vehicle through a variety of different use cases.

The UK energy-tech company’s engineers will use the VN5 prototypes to install the same electric chargers the vans use to recharge.

Due to the similarities between TX taxi and VN5, LEVC is deploying a fleet of prototype TX models with a full interior van conversion, to enable trials ahead of the official VN5 launch later this year.

Octopus Energy is a UK energy retailer, specialising in renewable energy and servicing over 1.5 million domestic customers across the country.

Launching in Q4 2020, VN5 is based on the same architecture and eCity range-extender technology as LEVC’s TX electric taxi and gives a pure EV range of 58 miles and a total range of over 300 miles.

Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, said: “At LEVC we are committed to making the commercial vehicle sector a greener, cleaner business environment and it is great to have Octopus Energy on board for these trials as we have a shared interest in sustainable products and services. I’m confident they will enjoy a successful trial phase and look forward to a future partnership with Octopus Energy when VN5 launches later this year.”

John Szymik, Octopus Energy Services chief executive, said transitioning the company's fleet to EVs is one of the first steps in its plan to drive the electrification of transport.