Prodrive Designs Compact Electric Cargo Van for UK Market
Prodrive, a well-known name in the British rally car world, has ventured into the electric vehicle market with the Elm Mobility Evolv. This innovative cargo van is designed with urban delivery in mind, offering a small footprint with a surprisingly large load capacity.
The Elm Mobility Evolv electric cargo van concept.
Designed for Last-Mile Delivery
The Evolv, a demonstrator of the lightweight electric L7E class, is the result of a collaborative effort. Prodrive partnered with the British design studio Astheimer to create the vehicle. The van is expected to hit the market in 2028 with a starting price of £25,000.
“As cities increasingly implement low-emission zones and online sales continue to surge, the demand for zero-emission delivery vehicles for last-mile transport is significant,” Prodrive explained. Many existing vans are either too small and not crash-safe enough or too large and expensive for the job.
The Evolv is designed to fill this gap. It legally falls within the L7E category, meaning it weighs less than 600 kilograms without batteries and can be driven with a standard car driving license. Its compact dimensions (3,240 mm long and 1,450 mm wide), are combined with an impressive height of 2,150 mm. The turning circle is only 7.8 metres, making it nearly as maneuverable as a London taxi.
Impressive Specifications and Features
Powering the Evolv is a 20 kWh battery, which Prodrive estimates will provide a range of 160 kilometers, adequate for urban delivery routes. Charging is expected to be handled via a Type 2 plug for alternating current charging, allowing the battery to replenish from 20 to 80 percent in under two hours. The top speed is reported to be 50 mph.
Despite weighing only 850 kilograms with the battery, the mini-van boasts an impressive 4,000 liters of cargo space. Described as the most efficient vehicle in its class in terms of both cost and power consumption, the Evolv will also offer an optional pallet truck, capable of lifting up to 300 kilos, to aid in deliveries.
The cargo area is split into two loading zones. The front one sits at a low 30 cm and is accessible via sliding side doors, able to accommodate a Euro pallet loaded 1.6 meters high, with a payload of 300 kilos. The second loading area, accessible via hinged rear doors, fits a Euro pallet loaded 1.2 meters high, with a 200-kilo payload.
Prodrive Elm Mobility Evolv: The rear with two gullwing doors
The Evolv features a central driver’s seat for easy access from both sides. This also improves the driver’s view of pedestrians and cyclists. The Evolv demonstrator is currently showing its concept, size, and functions, with the next stage being to gauge customer interest. ELM Mobility will then move to series production.
