An electric van from Chinese manufacturer LDV is now in New Zealand.
Strong interest is already being shown in the LDV EV80 pure electric van. Orders are now being taken and delivery is expected in December.
The 10.4 cubic metre cargo van can carry up to 1000kg and fits up to three pallets.
Its high-efficiency lithium iron phosphate battery can be fully charged in two hours, giving in a 150km-180km range with about half the maximum payload.
The LDV EV80 has been used in China for more than four years. The prototype vehicle here is largely based on proposed United Kingdom market specifications. New Zealand specifications are still to be finalised.
Suitable for the trades, such as builders and contractors, couriers, as a shuttle or for a variety of other work and passenger related purposes, the van initially uses DC fast-charging with a CCS Type 2 inlet plug.
An on-board AC inverter could be available for the van by about March, allowing for home charging.
The van comes from the SAIC stable, the largest automotive maker in China.
It’s being marketed through Warren Willmot of Great Lake Motor Distributors, the importer/distributor of LDV and SsangYong.
Pricing will be on application but could be around the $80,000 mark for the panel van version.
The EV80 is about 5.7m long, just short of 2m wide and about 2.3m high for the long-wheel base van, fractionally less on all counts for the chassis cab. It seats three in the front and comes with a factory bulk head to isolate the cargo, plus has a left-side slide door.
It has a gross vehicle weight of 3600kg, incorporates a permanent magnet synchronous motor (100kW/320Nm), can reach up 107kmh and uses a 56kWh battery.
Brakes are front and rear discs, and it has ABS and EBD systems. Equipped with halogen headlights and daytime running lamps, the van has reversing sensors although a camera can easily be fitted.
The EV80 is essentially the same or similar spec to the current diesel V80 series with driver and passenger airbags included.
Willmot describes the van as functional and able to do the job well.
He says a focus will be on fleets.
“Vans like this make a lot of sense for businesses on the road all hours.”
He’s hoping to turn over about 50 in a year and says interest and pre-sales enquiries have been particularly strong.
“People have already put money down for them.”
Willmot says the cab-chassis version is very versatile and is able to be used for a multitude of purposes, such as a curtain sider, flat deck or camper.
A local ten-seater minibus conversion of the cargo van has already been ordered by a customer. Jackson Enterprises, a specialist fitout and coach conversion business based in Otara, has a special flooring and seating system being flown in from the UK for this.
Willmot says the EV80 series is now undergoing compliance for New Zealand, which will be completed in November.
The vehicle will be officially launched on September 28, alongside LDV’s new one-tonne ute range called the T60 and new large seven-seater SUV called D90.
Large commercial vans of this size are not tested by ANCAP. But Willmot says safety is a priority for SAIC Motor and LDV and they are committed to future models achieving a five-star safety rating.
Enquiries should be directed through Willmot – aka “The Van Geek” – at LDV/Great Lake Motor Distributors, 162 Great South Rod, Takanini, Auckland. Email warren@glmd.co.nz, phone 021 949 218, or visit ldv.org.nz for more information.
