LEVC’s new VN5 range-extender electric van has now gone into production in the UK, ahead of the start of UK deliveries at the end of the year.

First vehicles will be delivered to UK customers before the end of the year and a LHD variant will join production in March 2021

It joins the existing TX electric taxi on the production line at LEVC’s plant in Ansty, Coventry and is expected to account for around 70% of production volume by 2022.

Also launching in a left-hand drive variant in March 2021, the VN5 will target the growing ‘one-tonne’ van sector and is being positioned as a cleaner alternative to diesel vans for ‘distribution-to-door’ – not just last-mile – services.

Its e-City range-extender technology is shared with the TX taxi and gives a pure EV range of over 60 miles (98km) and a total range of over 300 miles (489km).

It offers up to 5.5m3 capacity and can accommodate two Euro-sized pallets with a gross payload of 830kg, while its large side-loading door and 60/40 split door at the rear enable loading and unloading. It also provides a turning circle of 10.1m, said to be class-leading.

The development and testing of the VN5 has been supported by government funding through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), including a 32-month prototype testing programme. ​

This has included trials with some of the UK’s major fleets; from BT Group to Kier Group, Royal Mail and DPD. In total, more than 25 business partners in total are taking part.

The launch of the new van is also being supported by LEVC’s growing international dealer network, which will have more than 50 locations in the UK by the end of this year – the brand says that customers will never be further than a 45-minute drive time to an authorised LEVC service point.

Across Continental Europe, more than 30 sales and service partners will be in place by the end of this year.