Prodrive and Astheimer Unveil Revolutionary £25,000 Electric Van Concept

Introduction

Prodrive, in collaboration with UK-based design agency Astheimer, has introduced the Evolv, an innovative electric van concept. The companies plan to release a production version of the van in 2028, priced at £25,000. The Evolv is designed to cater to the growing demand for versatile and zero-emission vehicles in the logistics and retail sectors.

Design and Features

The Evolv is a compact cargo van, measuring 3240mm in length and 1450mm in width. Despite its small size, it offers significantly more load space than other quadricycles in its category, while weighing only half as much as traditional vans. The van weighs 850kg with batteries and can accommodate a 1.6m pallet with a 300kg payload in its main load area. It also features a smaller secondary storage bay for an additional 1.2m pallet and 200kg load.

The Evolv is engineered to meet the same safety standards as conventional vans, ensuring the safety of both the driver and pedestrians. It boasts a wraparound windscreen for maximum visibility, fared-in headlights to reduce the risk of accident damage, and highly robust modular body panels that can be easily replaced.

Modularity and Adaptability

A key aspect of the Evolv’s platform is its modularity. The entire architecture behind the cabin, including the wheelbase, is adaptable, allowing for various body types to be fitted for different sectors. This flexibility makes it suitable for a range of applications, from pizza delivery services to logistics firms and supermarkets.

Battery and Range

The Evolv is equipped with a 20kWh battery, providing a range of 100 miles on a single charge. The targeted 20-80% charge time is two hours. While other batteries are being considered for future production variants, the Evolv’s urban focus means it is unlikely to target a range much higher than its current capabilities.

Market Potential and Production Plans

Elm Mobility, a new company formed by Prodrive and Astheimer, will develop the Evolv concept over the next few years with the aim of launching it in 2028. The project has received funding from the Niche Vehicle Network, the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), and an unnamed private investor. Elm is in talks with potential production partners to pursue an asset-light business model, reducing investment in tooling and factories.

The vision is to produce around 10,000 units per year by 2030, with the potential for doubling that number in subsequent years. The market for electric vans is still emerging and developing, and the Evolv has the potential to become a global phenomenon, similar to the tuk-tuk. The market for such vehicles could be massive.