LEVC has teamed up with Kier Group to trial its VN5 range-extender electric van out in the real world.

The converted TX will be used by Kier as a trial vehicle in highway maintenance projects

The trials at Kier will see the VN5 prototype vehicle put to the test in a number of different real-world scenarios across the whole of its highways business.

Phil Gale, Kier Group’s head of highways fleet and plant, commented:​ “The range-extended electric powertrain will give our drivers the flexibility they need to work up and down the country. Kier Group is looking to decarbonise its vehicle fleet by 2030 and move towards greener transport solutions; LEVC will play a key role in kickstarting this strategy​.”

The UK construction giant is the latest major fleet to take delivery of a prototype of the new VN5, following in the footsteps of Royal Mail and DPD; in total, more than 25 business partners in total are taking part in the trials.

With the VN5 only just having gone into production, the fleets are actually running converted TX-Taxi based prototypes utilising a full interior van conversion, due to the similarities between the two models. The VN5 is based on the same architecture and eCity range-extender technology as the TX and uses the same electric powertrain with a pure EV range of 61 miles and a total flexible range of over 300 miles.

Commenting on the tie-up with Kier, Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, said: “Kier Group operates a significant fleet of commercial vehicles all over the UK, used in everything from highways maintenance to urban construction and is sector in which we believe our electric VN5 will perform well.  As we move towards the launch of VN5 in Q4, we are looking forward to establishing a commercial vehicle partnership with Kier​.”​