Electric van startup Arrival has signed up LeasePlan as its preferred operational leasing partner.

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Earlier this year, the fast-growing Anglo-American technology firm revealed its new electric van, which is intended to revolutionise the commercial vehicle sector with its “outstanding total cost of ownership and robust design”.

The tie-up with LeasePlan is based on an initial order of 3,000 vans, with the sales agreement expected to be finalised in Q3 2021.

The new van, which starts UK public road trials this summer, will set a new standard for electric vehicles by excelling across both payload (1,975kg) and cargo volume (2.4m3 per metre in length) at a price comparable with fossil fuel vehicles and with a substantially lower TCO.

It will be available in variants from 5.1m to 6.5m in length to meet requirements and uses a lightweight aluminium frame and proprietary composite body panels, bringing claimed significant reductions in the vehicle’s weight.

Tex Gunning, CEO of LeasePlan, said: “Demand for online shopping is skyrocketing, but this demand has to be met responsibly, and concerns about pollution from delivery vehicles need to be addressed. I’m therefore delighted to be partnering with Arrival, which will see LeasePlan delivering some of the greenest, cleanest and truly innovative eLCVs to our customers. Together we are going to revolutionize the fast-growing eLCV market and make zero emission deliveries part and parcel of the ‘new normal’.”

Avinash Rugoobur, president, Arrival, added: “With this new partnership, Arrival will be able to deepen and expand our presence globally, working with LeasePlan to bring the best possible products to its customers and in turn helping them to achieve their own sustainability goals.”