Skip advert
Advertisement

New 2020 LEVC VN5 van: prices and specs confirmed

The LEVC VN5 range-extender van shares its underpinnings with the TX London taxi – and it has an all-electric range of 58 miles

LEVC has released further details on the VN5 range-extender van’s trim-levels, specs and powertrain. It’s available to order in the UK now, with prices starting from £46,500. First deliveries are expected to arrive towards the end of the year.

When the LEVC VN5 finally hits the streets, it will join a growing market of eco-friendly light commercial vehicles, such as the Vauxhall Vivaro-e, the Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter and the plug-in hybrid Ford Transit Custom.

Buyers have their choice of three trim-levels – Business, City and Ultima. The entry-level model comes as standard with autonomous emergency braking, driver and passenger airbags, dual-zone climate control and a nine-inch infotainment system.

Advertisement - Article continues below

LEVC’s City specification adds a heated windscreen front and rear parking sensors and a lane departure warning system, while the flagship Ultima variant features a rear-view camera, luxury seats, metallic paint and an upgraded 22kW AC charging system.

There’s also a choice of six option packages, which improve the VN5’s specification. For example, LEVC’s Comfort package includes more supportive seats, satellite navigation and under seat storage. The brand’s Safety pack features curtain airbags, intelligent speed limit assist and a live traffic information system.

LEVC has also partnered with European van specialists to provide a range of body and interior accessories, including roof racks, light bars, cargo bay racking systems, seat covers, floor mats and a smartphone mount.

Design and platform

Like the TX, the VN5’s body is built around an aluminium frame, which is clad in high-impact plastic body panels. The van’s front end is also the same design as the TX, so there are CSS and Chademo charging ports either side of the grille.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

At the rear, the VN5 has new body panels which create a square and uniform cargo bay, with a maximum capacity of 5.5 cubic metres – enough to swallow two Europallets. The van’s battery pack and electrical components are also mounted under the floor, which maximises its carrying capacity.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As standard, the VN5 will have a single side door and 60:40 opening barn doors at the rear. The latter has an opening of 1,038mm, which allows pallets to be side-loaded. The VN5 also has a payload of 830kg, to help LEVC to compete in what the company describes as the “new one-tonne electric van” class.

LEVC VN5 range, charging and performance

It’s powered by the same 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, 31kWh battery pack and rear-mounted electric motor as the TX taxi – and, like the cab, there’s no physical connection between the engine and the wheels, with the combustion unit only kicking in occasionally to keep the battery pack topped up.

So, most of the time, the VN5 works like an electric vehicle, with LEVC claiming that its powertrain will provide “more than 58 miles” of pure-electric motoring. Once the battery pack has been depleted the range-extender petrol engine can boost the van’s maximum range to 300 miles – which LEVC says eliminates the range anxiety of a conventional electric vehicle.

Every model also offers support for both domestic 11kW AC charging and commercially available 50kW DC fast-charging. When using the latter system, LEVC says the VN5’s battery pack will recover a 100 percent charge in 30 minutes – or roughly the same amount of time taken to load and unload the vehicle.

LEVC says the VN5 will be cheap to maintain, too. The van’s service schedule is set at 25,000-mile intervals and every model will come with a five year or 150,000 mile warranty as standard. Its battery pack is also guaranteed for eight years or 150,000 miles – and customers can opt for an extended 200,000 mile warranty for both the vehicle and battery.

Here's our round-up of the best electric cars to buy right now...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior test editor

Dean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. He's our resident van expert, but covers everything from scooters and motorbikes to supercars and consumer products.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best large panel vans 2024
Best large panel vans - March 24 update
Best cars & vans

Best large panel vans 2024

Pick the right large panel van, and you'll have a machine that can do all sorts of jobs. We name our favourites
6 Mar 2024
Best electric vans 2024
Best electric vans - header image
Best cars & vans

Best electric vans 2024

We reveal the best electric vans to buy or lease in the UK right now
24 Jan 2024
Best small vans to buy 2024
Best small vans - header image
Best cars & vans

Best small vans to buy 2024

Small vans are practical, affordable and cheap to run. This is our top 10 rundown of the best low-cost load-luggers
3 Jan 2024
Best used vans 2024
Best used vans header
Best cars & vans

Best used vans 2024

Our favourite used vans offer a cheap and practical alternative to brand new commercial vehicles
7 Dec 2023

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.
Lotus Emira - driving
News

Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.

Our Deal of the Day for 15 March is a half-now, half-later plan for the last-ever petrol-powered Lotus sports car
15 Mar 2024
New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs
New Audi A5 Avant - exclusive image
News

New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs

The new ICE and hybrid Audi A5 is due by year’s end in hatchback and estate forms
15 Mar 2024