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Prodrive has partnered with UK-based design agency Astheimer to create the Evolv, a small electric van concept that will form the basis of a £25,000 (€27,000) production version in 2028.
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Designed for ‘last-mile’ delivery services in cities, the Evolv is a 3240mm-long, 1450mm-wide cargo-mover that’s claimed to have significantly more load space than similarly sized L7e-category (sub-800kg) quadricycles while weighing half as much as a comparatively capacious conventional van.
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The Evolv weighs just 850kg with batteries fitted, but its makers say it can accommodate a 1.6m pallet with a 300kg payload in its main load area, with a smaller secondary storage bay providing space for another 1.2m pallet and 200kg load.
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Engineered by Prodrive and designed by Astheimer (responsible for 2022’s striking Aura sports car concept and the Volta Zero electric truck), the Evolv has been conceived to cater to a growing demand from logistics firms and retailers for “versatile, zero-emission vehicles”.
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The two companies have formed a new company, called Elm Mobility, which will develop the concept over the coming years with a view to selling it from 2028.
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Funding so far comes from the Niche Vehicle Network, the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) and an unnamed private investor. To give it a competitive edge, Prodrive has engineered the Evolv so that it conforms to the same passive safety standards as conventional vans from the N1 category.
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Astheimer has ensured that “everything about the design is fit for purpose”, with an emphasis on reducing weight and making the Evolv as simple as possible.
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A defining characteristic is that the single-seat cabin has been ‘minimised’ so the load space accounts for a class-leading 60% of the vehicle’s volume.
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The Evolv also has a wraparound windscreen for maximum visibility of cyclists and pedestrians, headlights that reduce the risk of accident damage and “highly robust” modular body panels that can be replaced quickly and cheaply.
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Notably, the Evolv is claimed to have a turning circle of just 7.8 metres – only 20cm more than the 7.6-metre turning circle of a London taxi. With a 20kWh battery, it is claimed to be capable of 100 miles between charges and have a targeted 20-80% charge time of two hours.
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Other batteries are under consideration for future production variants, but the Evolv’s urban billing means it’s unlikely to ever target a range much in excess of that.
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A crucial part of the platform is that the architecture behind the cabin – including the wheelbase – is adaptable, meaning various different body types can be fitted for use in different sectors.
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For example, pizza delivery services only need a small heated cargo box but logistics firms need to move 1.6-metre Euro pallets and supermarkets need a midsized refrigerator unit.
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There are no immediate plans for a dedicated passenger derivative, but talks are under way with a potential US-based investor looking for a fleet of compact shuttles to move people around large properties, and Elm bosses suggest there’s also a potential market for a Twizy-like twoseater with a tandem layout for use at resorts and hotels.