LDV has unveiled its EV30 compact van at the 2019 CV Show, the first light commercial vehicle from the brand to be sold with only an electric drivetrain.
The EV30 will be offered with either a 35kWh battery with a range between charges of 127 miles, or a 53kWh version stretching the range to 200 miles. Both lithium-ion battery packs are manufactured by CATL, China’s largest battery manufacturer, and will accept rapid charging in 45 minutes or a full AC charge in five hours.
LDV’s UK and Ireland distributor Harris Automotive Distributors intends to offer the EV30 in a standard form with a five cubic metre carrying capacity, or with a longer wheelbase boosting capacity to 6.3 cubic metres and taking a 1000kg payload.
The arrival of the EV30, planned for January 2020 at prices starting from £22,000, will allow LDV to tap into the vibrant but competitive market for light-duty smaller vans.
The EV30 on display at the Birmingham show is a Chinese domestic market variant. According to LDV UK & Ireland managing director Mark Barrett European models will gain a number of upgrades including a dual passenger seat option, a larger 85kWh motor and rear barn doors.
“The EV30 will provide the answer for business owners wanting an economical van with respect for the environment but with a range to be useful,” Barrett said. “Businesses will be able to fly the flag for greener motoring.”
Since it was revived in 2016 under the ownership of Chinese giant SAIC, the seventh largest vehicle manufacturer in the world with 7.5 million produced last year, LDV has consistently announced major new product at the CV Show.
The brand already sells an electric version of its mainstream V80 van. The EV80 has proven a success, according to Barrett, with take-up from Royal Mail, Tesco and Sainsbury’s among others. LDV is also putting one hundred wheelchair-accessible versions of the vehicle into service over the next year with Barrett claiming; “Customers are calling our EV80 a game changer.”
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