LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Co — www.levc.com) has officially started the ‘real-world testing and trial phase’ for VN5 (its new electric van), with parcel delivery firm DPD the first company to get a converted TX prototype.

LEVC CEO Joerg Hofmann said: “We are delighted that DPD is the first company to test our VN5 taxi-van prototypes. This is a milestone occasion in the history of LEVC, as the company continues its transformation from an iconic British taxi brand to a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles.

“VN5 is set to revolutionise green logistics, and we are looking forward to working with DPD, as it puts the vehicle through its paces. Feedback from major business operators will be crucial to the further development of the van, as we rapidly move to its launch in Q4 this year.”

The VN5’s cargo capacity ‘easily accommodates’ two Euro-pallets and offers 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 for easy loading and unloading.

Based on the same architecture and proven eCity range-extender technology as LEVC’s TX electric taxi, VN5 offers the same electric powertrain (with a pure EV range of 63 miles and a total flexible range of 301 miles).

Mr Hofmann says that the eCity technology meets “the demanding duty cycles of various sectors; and for logistics businesses such as DPD, VN5 has been designed to provide ‘distribution to door’ capability — not just last-mile capability — creating a link between out-of-town depots and city centres.”