LEVC Begins Pivot to Mass BEV Maker for Geely
London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has unveiled a new, large BEV platform for vehicles ranging from people-movers to commercial vans that it said could also be used by other brands of its Chinese owner, Geely.
LEVC has concentrated on making electrified versions of the iconic London black cabs so this new larger format platform is a break from its core business. This Space Oriented Architecture (SOA) platform has been jointly developed over the last two-and-a-half years in China, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Germany, aiming to provide BEVs with longer range, fast-charging capabilities and advanced driver-assistance features, Reuters reports.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday at LEVC headquarters in Ansty, England, executives said the flexible platform could be used for a wide range of EVs, including pickup trucks, large SUVs or even mobile homes. However, no hint was given over which type of vehicle LEVC would be its first focus.
Geely has been the most West targeted of China’s automakers owning Lotus, Zeekr, Volvo and, via a joint venture, Polestar. LEVC Managing director Chris Allen told Reuters that the brand was positioning itself within the Geely group to provide larger BEVs that “give more space, more opportunities, more flexibility with a larger vehicle size”.
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
