Modec has received orders for over 100 of its zero-emission electric vans and is optimistic that it will find buyers for a further 400 units in 2007.
"By 2009 we expect to be producing 2,000, and we are already getting enquiries from the rest of Europe and even North America," says Modec sales and marketing director Geoff Reyner. "That's not bad for a new company is it?"
Modec, which officially opens its new Coventry production
facility in March, says for every three demo vehicles it lends, one order is received.
Although Tesco will be the first company to run a fleet of them, taking delivery of 15 in April, other supermarkets are also expressing an interest. Reyner says the parcels and construction sectors are also placing orders.
Roughly 80% of interest is coming from the South-east, where exclusion from the Congestion Charge and free London parking are acting as added incentives. According to Reyner, other financial benefits to running an electric vehicle include zero road tax and no O-licence requirements. He says they require minimal servicing too, with not much more than brakes and steering to go wrong. With this in mind, contract maintenance is just £20 per month.
But contrary to the beliefs of Smith Electric
Vehicles, which has just launched an electric 7.5-tonner, a company cannot write down 100% of the value of the vehicle in the first year.
The Modec van is subjected to the same driving licence laws as 7.5-tonners - with grandfather rights applying to those who passed their tests prior to 1997. This apparently does not suit Tesco, which is likely to want to put some younger drivers behind the wheel of its Modecs. According to Reyner the supermarket is lobbying the government to get the law changed for the Modec van.
With prices starting at £25,000, Modec is dearer than an equivalent 3.5-tonner. "But we are selling this on whole-life costs," says Reyner, who stresses that the vehicle has a design life of 400,000 miles.
Customers rent the batteries from Modec, and are charged according to expected mileage. Modec says this will work out at between 5% and 20% less than diesel at its current price. Customers also need to factor in the £5 cost to charge the vehicle each day. With this in mind, the estimated cost to run a Modec is 40p per mile inclusive of fuel and service costs - which Reyner says is a little less than running an equivalent diesel van.
The Modec cab was designed by the same team of people who brought us the latest London taxi - and they've made a great job. It comes in a choice of two lengths, with two or five seats. Body styles include a panel van, tipper and dropside.
We took to the streets of Coventry in a two-man dropside demo vehicle - the same truck that has attracted attention from Balfour Beatty and Amey.
Stepping into the vehicle couldn't be simpler - via an easy access catwalk and sliding door at the back of the cab. You can stand up in a Modec - allowing you to walk to the driver's seat.
The first thing about the interior to grab your attention is visibility, which is unrivalled by any other commercial vehicle we've driven. That massive front windscreen gives you a great all-round view, and there are even mirrors above the windscreen to allow you to keep an eye on what's happening directly ahead of the truck. We reckon it could do with sun visors for the side windows though.
We love the unique digital display, which is easy to read, and provides the driver with a clear view of the all-important battery life indicator. The central binnacle looks a little dated, but we are assured that there's a modern one on its way. The handbrake and automatic gear selector are on the driver's right side, which takes a while to get used to.
Select drive, and away you go, quietly, and quickly. This is the first electric vehicle to be issued with a speeding ticket, and it's easy to understand why. Acceleration is brisk by CV standards, with 30mph appearing in 11 seconds. Like all electric motors it delivers peek torque at low speeds, and this certainly isn't going to be left at the lights. The top speed is capped at 50mph, which should give you a range of over 100 miles. Drop down to a steady 30mph and a Modec is good for 176 miles. The regenerative braking is extremely effective, slowing down as soon as you lift off the accelerator, while returning energy to the batteries. It almost transforms the truck into a one-pedal vehicle.
While it might be quiet enough for Modec to be considering offering both forward and reversing bleepers to warn pedestrians of its approach, it isn't particularly stealth-like inside the cab. Yes it is vastly quieter than any combustion-engined truck, but there are a number of squeaks and rattles. This can of course be partly explained by the dropside body, and the fact that this was a pre-production example.
We were impressed with the truck's handling, but thought the ride was a bit on the harsh side. Then again, we were running completely unladen.
Manoeuvrability is superb, thanks to its having the same turning circle as a London taxi.
Modec wanted a vehicle that would have driver appeal, allowing it to compete with the likes of the Ford Transit, Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. We think they've achieved their goal.
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
