It will be available from 2020 with more than 80 miles (129 km) of all-electric range. The ICE acts solely as a generator.
The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), owned by Geely, unveiled a new light commercial van based on the LEVC TX taxi and equipped with the same e-City range extender powertrain.
Detailed specifications are not yet revealed, but LEVC hints at all-electric range of more than 80 miles (129 km) and a total range of 377 miles (607 km) when the ICE engine is used in series-hybrid configuration (ICE used solely as a generator).
According to LEVC, the van is targeted at companies that use vans for roughly 100 miles (161 km) per day. Besides fuel savings, an important advantage to go electric with LEVC will be the ability to enter zero- or low-emission zones.
“Targeting those who travel around 100 miles a day, LEVC’s LCV will offer ‘distribution to door’ – not just last mile – 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. This is currently a sector of the market dominated by one tonne medium size diesel vans.
LEVC’s success with the TX taxi has proven that taxi drivers have become converts of green logistics, with huge benefits in terms of cost savings, while for commercial vehicle operators the e-City range extender technology takes away range anxiety once and for all.”
“The annual market for medium-sized ‘distribution to door’ vans is around 50,000 vehicles and with a £3,500 scrappage incentive for pre-euro 6 vans in London, bolstered by up to an £8,000 grant for New Energy vans and today’s Mayoral announcement to rapidly expand the charging network, the foundations are in place for a rapid growth in clean urban commercial vehicles.”
The range-extended van will be available for order in 2020, which means the project is noticeably delayed compared to the initial plans.
“Full details of LEVC LCV will be revealed closer to its official launch, but LEVC can reveal today that its new LCV will target best-in-class total cost of ownership, thanks to savings in fuel and servicing over conventional IC vans. It will also have durability guaranteed: LEVC has tested the new van to the world’s highest durability standards, adapting its million-mile TaxiDur test for the light commercial vehicle.
As standard, it will have class-leading safety, featuring the latest active safety systems from some of the world’s leading technology providers, along with the world’s highest crash safety standards. It will be better for drivers too, benchmarked against premium MPVs on comfort and ergonomics with a cabin designed around the needs of the van driver (and passenger). In addition to this, the LCV will feature the iconic class leading turning circle synonymous with the black cab.”
Currently, the company is focused on sales of TX taxis and already “just under 2,000” were put on the roads (“vast majority in London”).
In the longer-term, LEVC plans to introduce an entire lineup of electrified vehicles, which will be produced at the facility in Ansty, Coventry, in which Geely invested £500 million since 2014.
“In the near future, LEVC will add to its commercial vehicle range with a new line-up of models that will use shared technology with GEELY Commercial Vehicles.”
LEVC light commercial van spec:
LEVC TX spec:
- 31 kWh battery
- up to 128 km (80 miles) of range, before the ICE will be required to power the generator for another 515 km (320 miles)
- 120 kW electric motor (GKN Driveline eAxle) for rear-wheel drive. Similar to Volvo T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid models (both Volvo and LEVC are owned by Geely)
- fast charging capability: both CHAdeMO and CCS Combo
https://youtube.com/watch?v=s31DkpJIVLM
https://youtube.com/watch?v=To4XJwq6tvE
Source: Read Full Article