London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), the brand behind the range-extender TX taxi and VN5 van, has debuted the first in a new range of fully electric cars.

The LEVC L380 will initially launch in China in 2024 but other markets will follow

Built on the brand-new SOA (Space Oriented Architecture) EV platform co-developed with parent firm Geely, the L380 large MPV will be available in a six- or eight-seat layout.

It will initially launch in China in 2024 but other markets will follow.

Tech specs haven’t been divulged but Coventry-based LEVC said the vehicle will offer “advances in range, efficiency, safety, charging time, durability and connectivity”.

It also says the MPV will offer “unparalleled” occupant space – as denoted by the Airbus reference in the naming – and a luxurious, highly flexible cabin.

Further SOA-based models will follow, launching LEVC into new sectors in addition to its existing products.

Earlier this year, LEVC announced its transformation “from a high-end taxi manufacturer to a leading provider of pure electric global mobility solutions”.

Revealing the new L380, Alex Nan, CEO of LEVC, commented: “LEVC’s strategy is to become a leading zero-carbon mobility technology company and our new direction will see us grow beyond manufacturing the world’s most advanced taxi, the TX, and deliver smart, green, safe, and accessible mobility solutions to all.

“Building on our unrivalled heritage in producing the iconic London black cab, we have adapted our business to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for spacious, flexible electric vehicles.”

He added: “Setting new standards for occupant-focused interior space, L380 raises the bar for large luxury fully electric MPVs. The first of a new range of models, it is inspired by our rich history, combined with the resources of the Geely organisation, setting us on an exciting new path, bringing advanced zero-emission transportation to more customers than ever before.”

The new SOA architecture is engineered for larger vehicles, starting from 4,860mm and up to 5,995mm in length and 1,945mm-1,998mm in width, with wheelbases from 3,000mm-3,800mm. It’s also able to accommodate front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts too. Four-row configurations are also possible and the platform provides a fully flexible seat arrangement, with a sliding track that runs from the front to the rear of the architecture.

The brand has also previously said that the platform will set new standards for safety thanks to high-performance crash structure and energy absorption, achieving five-star safety standards in Europe and China.

It’s able to take battery packs ranging from 73kWh to 120kWh, delivering long ranges of up a claimed 432 miles (695km) and enabling ultra-fast charging. The battery is centrally located battery, providing a fully flat floor, whether for passenger or boot space, or both. It also features low step-in heights to enable multiple seating configurations.