Kier Group has taken delivery of a prototype of LEVC’s new VN5 electric van to trial on various highway maintenance projects across the UK.
Based on the same architecture and eCity range-extender technology as LEVC’s TX electric taxi, the construction company’s test vehicle includes full interior van conversion and the same electric powertrain with a pure EV range of 61 miles and a total flexible range of more than 300 miles.
The VN5 cargo capacity easily accommodates two Euro sized pallets with a gross payload of up to 830kg. It has been built with a large side-loading door, enabling a pallet to be side-loaded, as well as a 60/40 split door at the rear to make loading and unloading easy for the driver. Like the TX Taxi, the VN5 is equipped with a turning circle of 10.1m for increased mobility in busy city environments.
About 25 major fleets are currently taking part in the trials of the prototype VN5, including Royal Mail and DPD, putting it through a variety of different uses ahead of its official launch later this year.
Phil Gale, Kier Group’s head of highways fleet and plant, said, “We are excited to put LEVC’s new VN5 prototype vehicle to the test in a number of different real-world scenarios across the whole of our Highway’s business, the range-extended electric powertrain will give our drivers the flexibility they need to work up and down the country.
“Kier Group is looking to decarbonise its vehicle fleet by 2030 and move towards greener transport solutions; LEVC will play a key role in kickstarting this strategy”
Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, added, “Kier Group operates a significant fleet of commercial vehicles all over the UK, used in everything from highways maintenance to urban construction and is a sector in which we believe our electric VN5 will perform well.
“As we move towards the launch of VN5 in Q4, we are looking forward to establishing a commercial vehicle partnership with Kier.”
