GAZ Group will use the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover today for the world premier of its very first MAXUS electric vehicle.
The fully driveable prototype is currently on test with key customers, as the company finalises specifications, launch plans and markets across Europe.
The new electric vehicle prototype has been developed by GAZ Group's UK business, LDV Group.
Unveiling the new prototype, LDV's chief executive, Evgeniy Vereshchagin, said: “The ECV1 has been designed to maximise safety whilst optimising loadspace and payload, with batteries ideally packaged between the chassis rails. At the request of major fleet customers, the driver interface has the minimum level of change from a diesel vehicle, so driver retraining is limited to just a few minutes. The vehicle is powered by lithium-ion batteries and can also be offered with different options of payload, range and top speed.”
The vehicle on the stand has been specified by a major home delivery fleet operator with the following specification:
Mr Vereshchagin said that rising fuel costs were rapidly reducing the payback period of electric vehicles compared with diesel models: “Today has never been a better time for large fleets with urban-based delivery operations to consider electric vehicles. Our responsibility as a manufacturer is to look to the future and in particular the effects carbon emissions and vehicle pollutants are having on the environment.
“We believe that an electric vehicle that boasts zero CO2 emissions, with a top speed of 55 miles per hour will be extremely popular across many European markets.”
For further information on the MAXUS range and the new electric vehicle prototype visit www.maxus.com.
