One hundred LEVC VN5 vans added to Europcar fleet

Europcar Mobility Group UK has added 100 London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) VN5 vans to its Vans & Trucks fleet.

As Ron Santiago, Managing Director, Europcar Mobility Group UK said: “Research conducted in 2021 found that 89% of businesses expect a quarter or more of their fleet to enter a Clean Air Zone more than once a week. Yet there is a clear gap in availability of electric vehicles, as well as cost barriers for outright purchase. There is also concern that electrified vans may not be able to meet the high pressure demands of businesses, with uncertainty about the range they can offer.

“Bringing the VN5 on to the Europcar Vans & Trucks fleet addresses these concerns on several levels.  Available as part of our long-term rental solutions, it means businesses have the flexibility to ‘try before they buy’, without having to commit to lease or outright purchase, giving them the chance to really understand how electric will work for them and their drivers. Long-term rental of the VN5 also provides important financial flexibility while the UK economy remains uncertain. Plus, crucially, the VN5 gives customers a compliant solution eliminating the need to factor in additional costs for entering Clean Air Zones.”

Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, added: “I am delighted we have signed this agreement with Europcar, which will enable many businesses to try our innovative new electric van before they buy. And I am confident that they will see VN5 is the ideal green mobility solution, offering zero-emission capability with no range-anxiety.”

The VN5 is an important component in supporting Europcar Mobility Group’s commitment to reduce its impact on the environment through its ‘One Sustainable Fleet’ programme. This programme aims to reduce carbon emissions for its car and van fleet, including targeting to have green vehicles (less than 50 g CO2/km) accounting for 20% of its car and van fleet by the end of 2024. 

LEVC products are Battery Electric Vehicles – driven exclusively by electricity – that, through the company’s eCity powertrain technology, feature an additional on-board generator (a small 1.5 litre petrol engine), known as a Range-Extender. This provides greater usability and flexibility than pure electric operation. When required, the Range-Extender recharges the Drive Battery, which in turn powers the electric Drive Motor that drives the wheels. Always electrically driven, there is no connection between the Range-Extender and the electric Drive Motor. The Range-Extender only acts as a power source to provide electricity to the Drive Battery, extending the driving range.

VN5 is based on the same  architecture and proven eCity technology as LEVC’s TX electric taxi. With a pure EV range of over 60 miles and a total flexible range of 304 miles VN5 is ideally suited to urban deliveries in zero-emission mode, as well as longer journeys outside of town. The more frugal driver could achieve a 76-mile pure EV city range, according to WLTP city methodology.