LEVC VN5

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LEVC VN5
LEVC VN5 Classic-Gala 2021 1X7A0300.jpg
2021 LEVC VN5 in Schwetzingen, Germany
Overview
Manufacturer LEVC
Also calledLEVC e-Camper (camper van variant)
Production2020–present
Assembly Ansty Park, Warwickshire, United Kingdom (Ansty Park plant)
Body and chassis
Class Panel van, leisure activity vehicle
Body style 4-door panel van
Layout Front-engine, Rear-wheel drive
Related LEVC TX
Powertrain
Engine 1.5L B3154T I3 (VEA)
Electric motor 110 kW (150 PS)
Hybrid drivetrain Plug-in Series hybrid
Battery 31 kW·h lithium ion 400 V
Range304 miles (489 km)
Electric range 58 miles (93 km)
Plug-in charging
  • 22 kW AC
  • 50 kW DC
Dimensions
Wheelbase 3,386 mm (133.3 in)
Length4,857 mm (191.2 in)
Width
  • 1,945 mm (76.6 in)
  • 2,083 mm (82.0 in) with mirrors
Height1,888 mm (74.3 in)
Kerb weight 2,230 kg (4,916 lb)

The LEVC VN5 is a plug-in hybrid panel van produced since November 2020 by British electric vehicle manufacturer London EV Company (LEVC), a subsidiary of Chinese automobile company Geely. The car was largely engineered by CEVT, a Geely subsidiary in Gothenburg, Sweden. [1]

Contents

Overview

LEVC VN5 (rear) LEVC VN5 Classic-Gala 2021 1X7A0299.jpg
LEVC VN5 (rear)

The LEVC TX Hackney carriage was launched in 2017, as a plug-in hybrid range-extender electric vehicle. [2] Geely announced its intentions to build electric commercial vehicles based on the LEVC TX. [3]

Spy shots of a new LEVC TX-based van first surfaced on the internet in February 2018. [4] Over a year later on June 19, 2019, an unnamed LEVC plug-in commercial van was revealed, [5] which was later officially named the VN5 next year in March 2020, with "VN" standing for "van" and "5" referring to the 5 cubic metres (176.5 cu ft.) of cargo space. [6]

The VN5 went on sale in the United Kingdom in November 2020 with a starting price of £46,500 ($64,335), and although eligible for the United Kingdom's plug-in hybrid van government grant of up to £8,000 ($11,068), it has a much higher overall cost than other compact electric vans available in the United Kingdom such as the Maxus e Deliver 3, Renault Kangoo ZE, and Nissan e-NV200. [7] The VN5 has three available trim levels; Business, City, and Ultima. [8] The LEVC VN5 went on sale for the rest of Europe in July 2021. [9]

Specifications

Battery and engine

The LEVC VN5 has a 31kWh lithium ion battery with a Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)-certified electric range of 58 mi (93 km), with 50 kW direct current rapid charging for the Business and City trims, allowing the battery to be fully charged in 30 minutes, and 22 kW alternating current fast charging for the Ultima trim. The van also uses three-cylinder petrol engine as a range extender, giving it a total range of 304 mi (489 km). [8] [10]

Cargo

The VN5 has a maximum payload of 830 kg (1,830 lb) for the Business trim, while the City and Ultima trims max out at 791 kg (1,744 lb) and 780 kg (1,720 lb) respectively. For cargo access, on the side is a single sliding door and in the back are 60/40 split rear doors. [8] [11]

Features

The VN5 comes standard with a collision avoidance system, cruise control, and a 9 in (23 cm) touchscreen, while a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, curtain airbags, and a lane departure warning system are available in the City and Ultima trim. Higher-quality seats and a backup camera are exclusive to the top-level Ultima trim. [8]

LEVC e-Camper

The LEVC e-Camper is a camper van variant of the VN5. It was revealed in late June 2021 and will go on sale in Q4 2021 at a price of £62,250 ($86,458). It features an electric kitchenette, a rising roof, and a central folding table. The first row of the e-Camper has two seats that can swivel 180° and a second row bench seat which can slide back to form a dining/socializing room within the van. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geely</span> Chinese automotive manufacturer

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd., commonly known as Geely, is a Chinese multinational automotive company, headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The company is privately held by Chinese entrepreneur Li Shufu. It was established in 1986 and entered the automotive industry in 1997 with its Geely Auto subsidiary. Geely Auto is the seventh-largest automobile manufacturer in China, with 1.328 million sales in China in 2021. Globally, the group sold over 2.2 million cars in 2021, and over 17,926 plug-in electric vehicles in January 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the electric vehicle</span>

Crude electric carriages were first invented in the late 1820s and 1830s. Practical, commercially available electric vehicles appeared during the 1890s. An electric vehicle held the vehicular land speed record until around 1900. In the early 20th century, the high cost, low top speed, and short-range of battery electric vehicles, compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, led to a worldwide decline in their use as private motor vehicles. Electric vehicles have continued to be used for loading and freight equipment and for public transport – especially rail vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TX4</span> Motor vehicle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">LEVC TX</span> Motor vehicle

The LEVC TX is a purpose-built hackney carriage manufactured by the British commercial vehicle maker London EV Company (LEVC), a subsidiary of the Chinese carmaker Geely. It is the latest in a succession of purpose-built hackney carriages produced by LEVC and various predecessor entities. The LEVC TX is a plug-in hybrid range-extender electric vehicle.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">London Electric Vehicle Company</span> English car manufacturing company

London Electric Vehicle Company Limited (LEVC), formerly The London Taxi Corporation Limited, is a British automotive manufacturer with its headquarters at Ansty Park near Coventry, England. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chinese automaker Geely. The company produces London’s famous black taxicabs. Much of the engineering is done by China Euro Vehicle Technology, a Geely subsidiary based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Workhorse C-Series</span> Motor vehicle

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References

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  2. Reynolds, Matt (29 May 2018). "An obscure Chinese firm has taken over London's black cabs. Its next target? Beat Uber at its own game". Wired UK. ISSN   1357-0978 . Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  3. Mullen, Enda (11 July 2017). "London Taxi Company to change its name after 69 years". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
  4. Sergeev, Angel (20 February 2021). "New London Taxi Spied Testing As Commercial Vehicle". Motor1 . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  5. Kane, Mark (19 June 2019). "LEVC Presents Range-Extended Light Commercial Van". InsideEVs . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  6. Kane, Mark (14 March 2020). "New Plug-In Van From LEVC To Be Named 'VN5'". InsideEVs . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  7. "LEVC VN5 review". What Car?. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Allen, Lawrence (8 July 2021). "LEVC VN5: production version of taxi-based electric van revealed". Autocar . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  9. "LEVC launches new VN5 electric van in Europe". Automotive World. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  10. Gibson, Dean (29 September 2020). "LEVC VN5 van review". Auto Express . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  11. "LEVC VN5 dimensions (2020-on)". Parkers . Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  12. Tudose, Sergiu (28 June 2021). "LEVC Previews Upcoming e-Camper Model, World's First Electric Camper Van". AutoEvolution. Retrieved 13 September 2021.