UK startup Helixx is developing a range of commercial mini EVs that it says can provide clean, sustainable mobility to transform emerging markets.

Four different models target use cases including last-mile delivery, construction, tuk-tuk and ride-hailing fleets

Vehicles span four different body styles, all designed with rapid swap battery technology and a manufacturing franchise model that means they can be built virtually anywhere in the world in licensed Helixx Mobility Hubs. The company says this will keep carbon emissions to a minimum while enabling local enterprise.

Such hubs will be rapidly deployable – and can facilitate delivery of their first models within 180 days, according to the firm. It will also offer white-label vehicles, enabling licence owners to use their own brands.

Vehicles won’t be available for direct sales; instead Helixx will offer them on a subscription basis for commercial users from $0.25 (£0.20/€0.23) per hour.

Steve Pegg, Helixx CEO and co-founder, said: “Helixx was born to meet the challenge of transforming the quality and standard of mobility for citizens in heavily congested cities. The vehicles offered by Helixx are the key to replacing the heavily polluting combustion-powered vehicles relied upon in developing nations today.”

Body styles cover two commercial models and two passenger variants. Commercial models include a Truck pickup for construction businesses and urban developers, plus a Cargo version aimed at last-mile delivery fleets, with 2,100 litres of cargo space and able to carry the majority of ISO pallets in target markets.

Passenger variants include an open-door Tuk-Tuk-style model and a closed-door model for the ride-hailing market.

All four make use of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, designed to be rapidly swappable and available in different configurations. A 12kWh battery configuration can deliver a range of up to 200km (124 miles).

The company is currently testing a UK concept hub in partnership with Siemens and will then launch further pilot hubs in the UK and Singapore. Customer talks are focused on the Asia Pacific region initially, with India, MENA and South America to follow.