Author: Kara McCullough

THE recently revealed WATT EV (WEVC) engineered prototype, the eCV1, a next-generation electric light commercial vehicle, which garnered much attention following its April unveiling, will once again be on display, this time at Farnborough’s ITT HUB on the 10th and 11th May.

On the back of a very busy and engaging Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in Birmingham last month, the team behind the eCV1 prototype, which features a WEVC chassis cab with a rear body designed, manufactured and fitted by ETRUX, will have their electric vehicle on show and will be available to discuss the solutions that will aid transport operators in driving their fleet to a more sustainable future.

Gerard Galvin, MD of ETRUX, who is keen to engage with transport managers and deliver electric vehicle solutions, said; “Over the last year, I have spearheaded the EVolve programme which offers a 360° solution for public authorities and vehicle operators to transition fleets from diesel to electric vehicles, as part of the government’s 2030 Road to Zero strategy.

“We take a four-phase approach and cover everything from the initial feasibility study and cost analysis to sourcing the right vehicles and charging solutions. The next phase includes maintenance and keeping the fleet on the road and the final phase is the end of life and disposal of the fleet.

“It is important to cover all of these aspects, but it also allows operators to cherry pick their solution. As a one supplier solutions provider who works collaboratively it brings with it many benefits, but one key aspect is the ability to resolve the many pain points that fleet and transport managers have in meeting the government’s aggressive net zero targets. We’ll be at the ITT Hub to engage and discuss practical results.”

However, it’ll be the eCV1, a functional prototype; innovative and highly flexible unit with a 3.5-tonne cab and chassis unit that enables a wide range of electric commercial vehicle designs, which will be a focus during the two-day exhibition.

Gerard Galvin explains; “The launch of eCV1 saw remarkable engagement with our team and our colleagues at WEVC while in Birmingham. I don’t think that’ll be any different at the ITT Hub as many fleet operators and facility managers want real and deliverable solutions for their current diesel fleet ensuring they are on the road to net zero.

“We’ve found that operators want to engage with us to address the myriad of issues of electrifying their fleets. The fact that we work collaboratively is very appealing where we can facilitate mission specific models, which meets customers’ particular fleet requirements. We hope to highlight how innovation, technology and transport are integral to achieving the transition of vehicle fleets to carbon zero.

“The eCV1 brings with it advantages such as an incredible payload to weight ratio, the safety and energy efficiency benefits of the central driving position and the flexibility of vehicle length and layout.”

Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC, said, “We are delighted to be able to showcase our engineered prototype so soon after its first outing at the CV Show. This will give many more people the opportunity to discuss the wider range of applications and uses for our electric commercial vehicle platform, and for the WEVC team to conduct a number of follow up meetings. As this is a functional engineered prototype, there are still lots of on the road testing to complete but it was important to ensure that we engaged with our customer base at the ITT Hub. Having a great relationship with the ETRUX team that is working hand in hand with us has made it all that bit easier.”

MAGTEC, leading UK designer, manufacturer and integrator of drive systems for electric and hybrid vehicles with more than 1,000 commercial EVs in service across the world, will be showcasing their 7.5t Electric Powered Isuzu chassis. They will also be discussing the manufacture of an electric drive system and chassis structure along with a full vehicle build.

Also, on the stand is one ETRUX’s E-Transit welfare vehicles, which is based on the L3H2 leader model. The Welfare van offers an effective mobile solution with a wide range of applications; it has the facility to accommodate up to seven people. It offers one of the safest and robust welfare van solutions on the market and is available on all 3.5 tonne light commercial vehicles, as well as having the ability to be configured to suit a customer’s requirement.

These three leading companies look forward to engaging with potential customers on how the electrification and the repowering of vehicles is going to serve the industry in the years to come.

Visit the team on STAND 1126 or to book an appointment, email itthub@etrux.co.uk.

Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), a pioneer in the design, engineering, and manufacture of low-to-medium volume EVs, both under its own brand and for third parties, has revealed its game-changing light electric van at the Commercial Vehicle Show.

Designed for the production of up to 5,000 vehicles per annum, the innovative and highly flexible vehicle, codenamed WATT eCV1, enables a wide range of electric commercial vehicle designs, facilitating mission-specific models which meet customers’ particular fleet requirements.

Following the signing of an MoU between WEVC and electric commercial vehicle specialist, ETRUX, earlier this year, an engineering prototype is on display at the NEC, based on the WATT eCV1 3.5-tonne cab and chassis unit, complete with an ETRUX designed and built body. The next step is for WEVC’s electric vehicle platform technology to be adapted by ETRUX into a range of offerings for the commercial vehicle market.

The first of multiple commercial vehicle offerings to come from WEVC, the eCV1 uses the company’s breakthrough, proprietary PACES architecture, a sophisticated yet cost-effective modular electric vehicle platform. Developed to support commercial vehicle manufacturers, specialist vehicle converters and fleet operators in the transition to an electric future, PACES complies with ISO regulations and exceeds stringent European Small Series Type Approval safety standards.

It’s ’cell-to-chassis’ system means batteries are integrated into the primary structure (rather than having a separate battery pack), optimising stiffness, minimising weight, and maximising payload. As a result, the clean sheet design means the eCV1 has none of the structural, weight and packaging compromises inherent in most electric LCV designs, many of which have been converted from ICE drivetrains and are further constrained by traditional high volume manufacturing processes.

The eCV1 features a central driving position which allows a safer kerbside exit for the operator, whichever side of the road the vehicle is driving or parked on. The cabin can be configured as a one, two or three-seater vehicle, with the large glass house providing superb visibility, making the vehicle safer to drive and easier to manoeuvre and park.

A further benefit of the central driving position is that it has allowed the A-pillars to be repositioned inboard, thus reducing frontal area and drag, which is a key metric in designing an efficient electric commercial vehicle. The unique platform design creates generous full standing height headroom, facilitating easy ingress and egress and a ‘walk through cabin’ option that is ideally suited for urban delivery vehicles.

Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC said: “I’m delighted to reveal the WATT eCV1 at the CV Show. Our unique approach to addressing the challenges facing the industry will enable the transition to mission-specific, yet cost-effective electric light commercial vehicles. We have embraced circular economy principles in the design, manufacture, and operation of our commercial vehicles to specifically align with increasingly stringent corporate and fleet operator sustainability responsibilities.

“The industry is rapidly moving to a zero-emission future, working with WEVC and our eCV1 platform will allow customers to benefit from electrified commercial vehicles tailored to meet their exact needs. Our MoU partner ETRUX has built a fantastic vehicle body onto one of the shortest lengths of chassis that we will offer, to show how compact the vehicle can be.”

The WEVC eCV1 prototype has a kerbweight from just 1750kg, delivering class leading payload and range in the 3.5t and 4.25t segments. The CV Show will be the first chance to see the functional prototype, which will be continuing test and development activities directly after the event.