Royal Mail has taken delivery of a prototype version of London Electric Vehicle Company’s (LEVC) new plug-in hybrid range-extended van, the VN5, for use in real-world testing.
Due to the similarities between LEVC’s TX Taxi and VN5, the company is deploying a fleet of converted TX-based prototypes utilising a full interior van conversion, kickstarting trials ahead of the official VN5 launch later this year.
Royal Mail is one of 25 business partners taking part in the trials, which will last until Q4 2020.
Paul Gatti, fleet director at Royal Mail, said: “As a company, we are committed to making changes to our operations that reduce our environmental impact, whilst ensuring we continue to meet customer expectations.
“Alongside the introduction of electric vans in locations across our business, this trial is part of a programme of initiatives that allow us to experiment with ways to achieve this, whilst enabling us to continue to deliver letters and parcels safely, efficiently and responsibly.”
The VN5 cargo capacity accommodates two Euro-sized pallets with a gross payload of over 800kg.
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 easier for the driver.
VN5’s eCity technology, which provides a pure EV range of over 58 miles (93km) and an extended range of over 300 miles (484km), has been designed to provide so-called ‘distribution to door’ capability, enabling the vehicle to travel between out of town depots and city centres.
LEVC’s trial phase will take place over the next few months and prototypes will be trialled with a wide range of businesses, from tool and equipment hire to energy suppliers.
These companies have been specifically chosen to put the vehicle through a variety of different use cases.
Joerg Hofmann, CEO, LEVC, said: “Royal Mail is one of the oldest postal services in the world and, like our London black cab, is part of British history and culture.
“It is great that these two iconic brands are joining forces for this trial.
“The VN5 prototypes will wear the iconic Royal Mail red livery and be used on routes that will test the vehicles ability to the full.
“These trials are crucial to the final development of the van, ahead of its launch later this year.”
Read more from CiTTi
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/first-hybrid-electric-van-prototypes-in-build-at-levc-factory/
https://www.cittimagazine.co.uk/levc-tx-taxis-enter-operation-in-germany/
