MIRA Technology Institute in the UK has invested in a brand-new Tevva electric truck to help students and apprentices get to grips with the latest EV technology.

The Tevva electric truck will help MTI students and apprentices get to grips with the latest EV technology

The 7.5-tonne battery electric truck is based at MTI’s workshops and accessible to all students, enabling them to see how the technology works in practice.

MTI offers a course series developed to deliver vital skills to the automotive sector. It enables students to gain an awareness and understanding of electric and hybrid vehicles, so that they can learn how to inspect, diagnose and rectify systems and components.

Lisa Bingley, operations director for the MTI, said: “We chose to invest in a Tevva vehicle because the brand is spearheading the rapid shift to decarbonisation and cleaner greener freight. The Tevva truck is driven by two electric traction motors that use no rare earth materials and is equipped with a regenerative braking system that harnesses kinetic energy to boost vehicle range. It also boasts an innovative high voltage power distribution system and proprietary embedded software, so the presence of the truck in our workshop will really help to contextualise students’ knowledge and enhance their learning experience and understanding of EV technology.”

The MTI was developed to support the automotive sector by focusing on emerging technology areas including connected and autonomous vehicles and electric cars. Its Skills Escalator is said to be the first of its kind in the UK where students and delegates can progress naturally through the levels within the same institution.

Ken Scott, managing director of Tevva, said: “The decarbonisation of trucking and wider transportation not only relies on new technology, but people. We need people with the skills and knowledge of how battery-electric and hydrogen-electric powertrains work. The MTI is doing an excellent job of addressing the skills gap and training a new generation of engineers and technicians. Tevva is delighted to be part of this vital endeavour.”

Tevva has reported continued interest from customers in its 7.5t battery-electric truck, which entered mass production earlier this year after whole vehicle type approval. It has a number of trucks in build for handover to customers, including TG Lynes in central London, which will mark the firm’s first battery-electric truck for use in central London.

The EV truck maker also continues to explore new merger opportunities after e-mobility firm ElectraMeccanica scrapped their planned merger.

Tevva has said it’s confident that it will secure both medium- and long-term funding that will allow it to complete its business plan and ramp up sales – but it’s also planning to sue ElectraMeccanica for $75m (£60.4m / €69.8m) damages after the Canadian business terminate plans at the start of October, citing “multiple incurable breaches of the agreement by Tevva”.