Octopus Energy joins Royal Mail and DPD in trialing LEVC's prototype electric van

Energy retailer Octopus is the latest company to trial LEVC’s VN5 electric van prototype.

Joining similar tie-ins with Royal Mail and DPD, Octopus Energy engineers will use the vehicles to install the same electric chargers the vans use, which LEVC described as the “first-ever circular real-world trial”.

LEVC also said that due to similarities between the VN5 and TX taxi models, it was deploying a fleet of prototype converted TXs with a full interior van conversion, to enable trials ahead of an official VN5 launch later this year.

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Requiring space for tools, electrical equipment and PPE, the prototype vans will be tested by Octopus to ensure they can withstand the load and allow its engineers to do their work with a lower carbon impact.

LEVC said the VN5 is based on the same architecture and range-extender technology as the TX taxi and provides a pure EV range of 58 miles, as well as a total flexible range of over 300 miles.

Jorg Hofmann, LEVC chief executive, said: “At LEVC we are committed to making the commercial vehicle sector a greener, cleaner business environment and it is great to have Octopus Energy on board for these trials as we have a shared interest in sustainable products and services.”

LEVC’s trial phase will continue over the next few months and involves 25 partners taking delivery of the test vehicles.