LDV rings out success at NEC CV Show 2019

General Manager of LDV UK & Ireland Mark Barrett with the new EV30 van.

Regularly during the first day of the NEC Commercial Vehicle Show last week, a loud bell was rung on the LDV stand, writes Trish Whelan. It signified another sale for the importers, the Harris Group and helped bring a buzz around the large stand.

LDV UK & Ireland — with head office at the Harris Group's premises on the Naas Road in Dublin — hosted a special event to announce the arrival of the all new EV30 electric van, little brother to the larger EV80. The EV30 was revealed on the stand by Mr Yang Junling and Mr Zhu Shijun from SAIC Maxus, and Mark Barrett, General Manager LDV UK & Ireland. There were a number of representatives from SAIC Maxus Automotive in China onsite, together with management representatives from UK & Irish dealerships.

The all-electric, light-duty van stirred excitement amongst fleet buyers, business owners and van enthusiasts alike. The importers say the EV30 is the first commercial EV to be designed and built specifically for EV application only. It will allow LDV to tap into the smaller commercial van market, a sector known for its stiff competition — especially in the context of diesel and petrol fuelled vans.

Every EV30 is fitted with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery manufactured by CATL, China's largest battery manufacturer. Two sizes will be available, a 35kWh battery which offers a range of 127 miles and a 53kWh battery with a range of 200 miles. An 85kWh battery will also be available in Europe.

Rapid battery charging time is 45 minutes. A full AC charge takes five hours which can be done using off-peak, cheap rate electricity to maximise cost savings. The AC charging can be used on either a single phase of three-phase charger.

SAIC Maxus sees the EV30 as the answer for business owners looking for an economical van that is respectful of the environment and nippy enough for city commuting.

The standard EV30 has a cargo capacity of up to 6.3m3. It will come in short wheelbase and long wheelbase forms. A payload of 1000kg is feasible.

At the vehicle's launch, Mark Barrett said that LDV has demonstrated just how accessible commercial EV vehicles are for business owners. "With its driving range of 200 miles on a single charge, it's easier than ever to embrace the power of electric driving. With SAIC using only the latest technology in the new-to-market EV30, we can ensure the highest technical specs and a vehicle that will help businesses fly the flag for greener motoring."

Production of the LDV EV30 starts in March 2020. While no price has yet been specified, a guide from €22,000 has been suggested for the UK. It will be eligible for SAIC and Government grants when it goes on sale here around mid next year.

All LDV's vehicles are covered by a five-year warranty or 200,000 miles (60,000 miles EV range) and include five years' roadside assistance cover as standard.

The 2019 CV Show is regarded as the main event for the UK road transport, distribution and logistics industry, or for any company running commercial vehicles. It can also be an important barometer for what's coming to Ireland in the near future.

Also at the show, Groupe PSA said it will introduce plug-in hybrid or electric versions of all new models starting this year, with electrified variants of each model by 2025.

Peugeot unveiled its Boxer Electric, adding a zero-emission model to the Boxer LCV range. Citroen also chose the CV Show for the world premier of its New Relay Electric, a zero-emission addition to its large panel van.

Toyota celebrated the Global Premiere of its Proace City, developed in association with the PSA Group's commercial vehicles division. Toyota says the new vehicle will bring it into the largest segment of the European Commercial Vehicle market.

The new Vauxhall (Opel) Vivaro had its World Premiere at the show. It replaces the previous model which has served since 2011 and shares its platform with PSA sister brand’s Peugeot and Citroen. It is coming to Ireland from October. An electric model is expected to follow in 2020.

Volkswagen Commercial vehicles launched a wheelchair-accessible conversion of the Caddy Life compact built by VW Commercial Vehicles' recognised partner in the UK, Lewis Read, one of only three such converters to offer a wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV).

VW Caddy Life wheelchair access

The new Ford Ranger pick-up and Ford Performance-developed Ranger Raptor were shown plus the new two-tonne Transit with more fuel efficient engines, increased payload and built-in connectivity, in addition to further electrification of the Ford range.

Developed by Ford Performance, the Ranger Raptor will be available to thrill-seeking Irish customers from August 2019 priced from €63,950. It will go on sale here in double cab format and in a choice of exterior colours. It is powered by a bi-turbo version of The Blue Oval’s 2.0 EcoBlue diesel engine that delivers 213hp and a whopping 500Nm of torque, mated to Ford’s new 10-speed automatic gearbox. It can do 0-100km/h in 10.0 secs; max towing capacity is 2,500kgs; max gross payload 620kgs; ground clearance is 283mm and wading depth 850mm.

Ford's two-tonne Transit

Isuzu UK showed a prototype of its new D-Max XTR, developed for off-road enthusiasts.