Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has announced a partnership with Etrux, an electric commercial vehicle specialist, that is set to accelerate the adoption of next-gen light commercial EVs – with the first prototype debuting at April’s CV Show.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies, the collaboration will see WEVC’s electric vehicle platform technology adapted by Etrux into a range of offerings for the commercial vehicle market. To underline the intent of the relationship, Etrux will be exhibiting an engineering prototype, based on WEVC’s Watt eCV1 3.5-tonne cab and chassis unit (codenamed eCV1 in development), on its stand at the CV Show, complete with an in-house-designed body.
“We are delighted to be working with Etrux, a company which offers the engineering skills, innovative materials and depth of understanding to deliver an outstanding range of electric commercial vehicles to the market utilising our eCV1 platform,” said Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC. “This is an exciting time for WEVC as we take the first steps in seeing our electric commercial vehicle platform adapted for a wide range of applications and uses.”
The CV Show will be the first chance to see the functional prototype, which will be continuing test and development activities directly after the event. Designed for production of up to 5,000 vehicles per annum, WEVC’s innovative and highly flexible 3.5-tonne cab and chassis unit enables a wide range of electric commercial vehicle designs, facilitating mission-specific models which meet customers’ particular fleet requirements.
“The eCV1 prototype is really exciting, as it gives us the freedom to create vehicles that meet our customers’ needs more than ever before,” said ETRUX CEO Gerard Galvin. “WEVC’s platform really does bring advantages with such an incredible payload to weight ratio, the safety and energy efficiency benefits of the central driving position and the flexibility of both standard and bespoke vehicle lengths and layouts they can offer us. We are delighted to have signed the MoU with WEVC and we look forward to this vehicle being a huge commercial success.”
Etrux will be exhibiting the WEVC eCV1 on stand 5D88, at the commercial vehicle show at the Birmingham NEC from 18th-20th April.
