LEVC range extender electric van

HERE’S a new van that might help you decide to go electric: the new range extender electric van from LEVC.

LEVC – or the London Electric Vehicle Company to give them their full title – make the new electric TX taxi. And it’s the taxi that forms the basis of the new van.

The LEVC range extender electric van features the same lightweight aluminium construction and the taxi’s eCity technology – an electric powertrain with a small back-up 1.5litre petrol ‘range extender’ generator.

In the taxi this is good for a range of up to 400 miles including 80-100 miles range with zero emissions. Expect similar depending on load with the new van.

Able to take two Euro pallets – LEVC says the carrying ability is better than existing electric vans – the range extender electric van fits into the 1 tonne market.

There are barn-doors at the rear, and sliding door on the side through which a Euro pallet can fit.

There is no word yet on the payload or actual carrying capacity, but LEVC CEO Chris Gubby told Business Vans that “with the lightweight construction, there is no compromise on payload. Payload is comparable with conventional diesel vans.”

LEVC says that in late 2018 prototype vehicles will start a testing programme with selected van fleets. Results will be fed back into the build programme.

The new van is aimed at providing the link between out of town distribution centres and city destinations, rather than being just a “last mile” delivery option.

Key features of the LEVC electric van with range extender include an extensive range of standard safety equipment. This includes emergency city braking, traffic sign recognition and lane departure warning.

Inside LEVC is promising ergonomics of the highest order in the cabin, with much of the driver comfort that’s found in the electric taxi transferring to the van.

Expected production date is spring 2019 with the van going on sale in Q3 2019. No prices are available, but Gubby said “total cost of ownership will be comparable to a diesel van of the same size”.