LEVC range-extender van on sale at £46,500
LEVC HAS REVEALED the van version of its TX taxi, the VN5, and opened the order books.
The long-awaited commercial version of the range-extender electric taxi was due to go on sale last year, but it was delayed as the Coventry-based manufacturer looked to parent firm Geely for help finalising development.
Priced from £46,500, the VN5 is eligible for the UK’S van-specific plug-in car grant of up to £8000. Customer deliveries are due to start at the end of 2020.
The VN5 uses the same powertrain as the TX, offering an electric range of more than 58 miles and a total range of over 290 miles, thanks to a three-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a range extender.
The van has a class-leading 10.1m turning circle and can take two Euro pallets with an 830kg gross payload. The TX’S bodywork has been adapted to allow a single side-loading door and 60/40-split rear doors.
Three versions are offered. Business comes with a 9.0in infotainment touchscreen, cruise control, automatic emergency braking and 50kw DC rapid charging, meaning a full charge is possible in 30 minutes.
Higher specs and options packs add a host of advanced safety and comfort features, plus LEVC will launch a range of bespoke accessories.
LEVC says the VN5 is built to last “twice as long” as its rivals, thanks to the corrosion and dent resistance and high crash-energy absorption properties of its aluminium monocoque and composite construction.
A five-year/150,000-mile warranty is standard, while the 31kwh battery gets its own eight-year warranty. Buyers will be able to extend both.