LEVC returned to the CV Show this year having made its debut at the 2021 event.
The Coventry-based manufacturer is best known for making the London taxi and head of product James Drake-Lee told What Van? the biggest benefit of the show was to raise awareness of the range-extender VN5 van that is produced on the same platform.
With a pure electric range of 64 miles but a total range of 319 miles with the range-extender petrol engine, he says attracting customers that want electric capability but also need to travel longer distances “is the niche we fill”.
Drake-Lee claims LEVC enjoyed its best quarter to date in the first three months of 2022 as it continues to build relationships with customers and expand the VN5 order book.
“We have a good and growing list of companies who like the product,” he said and added that the VN5 featured on several other stands at the CV Show this year, including those of racking provider Sortimo, charge point supplier Pod Point and telematics firm Geotab.
The VN5’s presence on Geotab’s stand resulted from a partnership between the two companies announced on the eve of the show that sees all VN5 vans (plus LEVC TX taxis) pre-installed with the MyGeotab fleet management tool for 12 months on a complimentary basis (worth £300 per vehicle, according to LEVC). Following the initial 12 months, customers can choose whether to continue subscribing to the service for a fee of what Drake-Lee estimates will be £230 per year. MyGeotab uses data on battery state of charge, driver behaviour, mileage trends and vehicle utilisation to optimise performance.
“Fleets that use telematics can save north of 10% in operating costs,” Drake-Lee claimed.
