Commercial Director

VN5 beats supply chain blues – and has the answers on range, too

Company Car & Van met up with LEVC’s Commercial Director Rich Hudson at the CV Show to find out how the company is meeting the challenges in the CV world

There are still supply issues for most car and van manufacturers. How has this affected the supply of the LEVC VN5 here in the UK?

LEVC is in a strong position with our supply, with a reliable supply chain and robust Geely Group suppliers and partner companies in place. In addition, around 90 per cent of our electric VN5’s components are sourced in the UK, which means shipping times aren’t too much of a challenge for us.

Our business model is also focused on built-to-order, so that we can satisfy specific customer requirements and we typically have a lead time under three months, from customer order through to vehicle handover.

When we drove the VN5 we really liked it and felt that it was a great half-way house for businesses who travel too far currently, to go full-electric. Have you found that your 300-mile range has been the main reason customers chose a VN5?

The competitor beating range is undoubtedly one of the VN5’s big selling points. LEVC’s sales success is definitely coming from customers who have a regular daily operating range of more than 100 miles. So with 100% electric drive and the VN5’s range extender offering a total range of more than 300 miles, this certainly gives our customers the reassurance that they can travel wherever they need to, without any of the range (or charging) anxiety.

In addition, there are other important factors that play strongly into the purchasing decision. For example, the high level of safety equipment, the class-leading driver comfort (as a result of many Volvo carry-over parts and quality) means that the VN5 appeals to customers whose drivers use their vehicle as a business tool.

This is particularly the case with customers employing engineers and scientists who use the vehicle as their regular car, as well as for work.

We’re seeing a number of our rental partners such as Europcar putting VN5’s on their fleets. Is the rental sector one that LEVC feel they can compete in?

Rental is not a sector we are targeting. Our agreement with Europcar presented us with a great opportunity, where the company had high demand for electric vans and LEVC was able to supply. It is great to see how positively Europcar has promoted this as part of their commitment to moving to a cleaner fleet.

As more electric vans enter the marketplace, why should customers consider a VN5 as their next purchase?

VN5 is the only commercial vehicle with 100% electric drive that offers more than 300-mile total range. This offers a huge level of reassurance, as well as significantly less downtime for all our customers who don’t want to waste time charging.

Range anxiety (plus more recently talked about charging anxiety) are totally eradicated with the VN5.

It’s also the only electric van which can be specified with both Chademo and Type 2/ CCS charging ports, meaning drivers can charge anywhere, regardless of connection. It can also be charged in just 30 minutes, ensuring that our customers can be out on the road as soon as they need to be.

The LEVC VN5 gives the best solution for range and for vehicles not returning to depot, or having easy access to charging, and combined with its high level of driver safety and comfort, British-built and iconic design, the VN5 presents a market segment that will remain relevant and growing for the next few years.

Do you think that electric is the way forward or does your ‘hybrid’ VN5 have an important role to play in the transition to a cleaner fleet?

Well our VN5 is not a hybrid. It is a range extended 100% electric-driven vehicle. And yes, the move will continue to 100% electric as battery capacity and performance improves for light commercial vehicles.

For the moment, the LEVC VN5 is the most practical solution as a transitional technology to full electric for busy, daily users of commercial vehicles.

“The LEVC VN5 gives the best solution for range and for vehicles not returning to depot, or having easy access to charging ... combined with its high level of driver safety and comfort, British-built and iconic design, the VN5 presents a market segment that will remain relevant and growing for the next few years...”

Rich Hudson, Commercial Director, LEVC

The LEVC VN5 at the CV Show