LEVC has unveiled its new range-extender electric van as it outlines how the vehicle will enable clean, green urban deliveries.

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Announced last year and revealed in more detail today (17 June 2019) at the launch of the London EV Infrastructure Delivery Plan, the van is not being targeted as a ‘last-mile delivery’ solution but instead will offer full ‘distribution-to-door’ capabilities, providing the link between out-of-town depots and city centres, capable of collecting goods outside of a major city in range extender mode, before switching to EV mode in an Ultra-Low Emissions Zone.

Launching towards the end of 2020, it draws upon the range-extender set-up seen in LEVC’s TX taxi, which uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine alongside a 31kWh battery and electric powertrain. This gives the TX an electric range of more than 80 miles, and a combined range of 377 miles with its small petrol generator. As such, it will be offered as a cleaner alternative to one-tonne medium-sized diesel vans and aimed at those who travel 100 miles a day, using the range extender tech to combat traditional ‘range anxiety’.

Payload will be 800+kg according to an LEVC engineer and the LCV will offer a load area that can fit two Euro pallets along with claimed best-in-class ownership costs and safety, and guaranteed durability; further details are yet to be revealed.

LEVC CEO Joerg Hofmann said: “London’s ULEZ is a blueprint and all major UK cities will introduce a Clean Air Zone by 2020. There is huge demand for a medium-sized zero emissions capable light van and the solution we offer will be more than capable of meeting the requirements of a rapidly evolving green logistics market.”

Somewhat unusually, charging will be offered by both the CCS standard favoured in Europe and the Chademo standard used by cars including the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander.

LEVC is planning to sell some 10,000 units in the UK in the first full sales year, and the van will be followed by a range of electric commercial vehicles in line with LEVC’s vision to be the leading European electric commercial vehicle provider.

Joerg Hofmann added: “We have combined our existing knowledge of the urban environment with EV technology that can put urban mobility on a sustainable pathway. Durable, reliable, efficient, cost effective and high quality, that is our new LCV. London and the UK will be first to market, then we will extend the vehicle to Europe and further afield. Our goal is to be the leading European electric commercial vehicle provider.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am delighted that LEVC is applying the lessons learnt from designing and building London’s electric black cabs to this new van. Developing clean, sustainable, electric vehicles is essential in order to tackle our air quality emergency and the climate change crisis. London’s commitment to clean air policies is driving our pursuit of a positive electric future for all.”