London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has supplied 30 VN5 hybrid-electric range-extended vans to BP Pulse, one of the UK’s leading providers of EV charging infrastructure.
The new models are the first electrified vans on the BP Pulse fleet and will be used by the company’s electricians and field service engineers when installing and maintaining EV charging points across the UK.
VN5 is based on the same architecture and eCity range-extender technology as LEVC’s TX hybrid-electric taxi and can achieve a pure electric range of over 60 miles (98km) and a combined hybrid range of 304 miles (489km). VN5 also comes with a turning circle of 10.1m for added mobility in busy city environments.
The introduction of the LEVC VN5 to the BP Pulse vehicle fleet is the first step in the company’s strategy to electrify its commercial vehicles and means that half of its fleet has now transitioned to electrification in some form.
Ross Mabon, COO of BP Pulse, said: “As a leading provider of EV charging infrastructure, we have placed great importance on ensuring that we electrify our commercial fleet with vehicles that meet our business needs while delivering significant zero emissions capability.
“The LEVC VN5 is in the right segment for us and will ensure that our electricians can carry out their work reliably and efficiently.”
The vans have racking and storage solutions installed by Sortimo – a conversion partner of LEVC. And through an existing partnership agreement, LEVC also offers new VN5 customers free charging for one year at more than 8,000 BP Pulse chargepoint locations.
Designed, engineered and built at LEVC’s factory in Ansty, Coventry, VN5 utilises the same aluminium monocoque and SMC construction as the TX taxi – reportedly a first in sector for the one-tonne van segment.
With up to 5.5m3 capacity, VN5 cargo capacity accommodates two Euro sized pallets and offers a gross payload of up to 830kg. It has been built with a large side-loading door, enabling a pallet to be side-loaded, and a 60/40 split door at the rear to make loading and unloading easy for the driver.
