The business is currently in discussion with a number of major public-sector fleets about joining the trials of prototype vehicles. This includes the Metropolitan Police Service and the London Fire Brigade – both of whom have ambitious programmes to clean up their vehicle fleets, with a target for all new vans being zero emission capable from 2025.
Earlier this year LEVC, which currently manufactures electric taxis, announced it would be entering the van market with a zero-emission capable product. The product combines the company’s 70 years of knowledge of designing vehicles for city streets with a proven electric vehicle powertrain.
Like the taxi, the van will combine a fully electric powertrain with a petrol range-extender, This approach means cleaner vehicles that are able to go the distance but also lower running costs. LEVC expect that the vehicle – for its size – will deliver a competitive total cost of ownership.
LEVC have previously announced that this product is not intended for “last-mile delivery” and will instead focus on fleets where vehicles undertake demanding duty cycles – for example, travel over 100 miles a day. This is a segment currently dominated by 1 tonne medium sized diesel vans.
Other key features of the van will include class leading safety systems as standard. This means some of the latest semi-autonomous safety systems from some of the world’s leading technology providers – as well as meeting the world’s highest crash safety standards. The vehicle is also required to meet LEVC’s million-mile TaxiDur test – one the most stringent vehicle durability testing regimes.