Manufacturing Excellence for The Electric Van Company

The Electric Van Company (EVC) has been recognised for its work developing and producing the CitySprint electric van after winning the Manufacturing Excellence Award at the National Automotive Awards.

Lancashire-based EVC received the award at the National Automotive Awards gala at Crewe Hall in Cheshire, recognising the engineering and production work involved in taking the CitySprint from initial concept through to full production.

The award comes during a significant period for the British manufacturer, which has also achieved ISO 9001 certification for quality management and ISO 14001 certification for environmental management covering its manufacturing processes.

EVC launched the CitySprint earlier this year as a low-cost electric commercial vehicle designed primarily for urban and last-mile operations.

Priced from £15,250 excluding VAT, the CitySprint is assembled at the company’s production facility in Nelson, Lancashire, using globally sourced components.

The vehicle is classified as an L7e heavy quadricycle rather than a conventional N1 light commercial vehicle, helping EVC to offer a compact and lightweight alternative to larger electric vans for operators whose vehicles predominantly cover shorter urban routes.

Power comes from a 20kW electric motor supplied by a 23kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with EVC claiming a range of up to 120 miles and a maximum speed of 46mph.

Depending on configuration, the CitySprint offers payload capacities between 500kg and 600kg. A 3.3kW onboard charger also enables charging from a conventional 13A domestic socket, with a claimed 20% to 80% charging time of less than five hours.

EVC has developed a range of CitySprint derivatives to broaden the vehicle’s potential applications. Alongside the panel van, the line-up includes pick-up, tipper, box van and chassis cab versions, targeting applications ranging from last-mile deliveries to local authorities, maintenance operations and trades.

EVC managing director Keith Sims said: “This award is for the team that have worked tirelessly bringing the EVC Citysprint from design to reality at our Lancashire-based production facility.

“Their dedication, skill and attention to detail are the reason we’re standing here tonight, and this recognition is thoroughly deserved.”

The National Automotive Awards win is accompanied by EVC securing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification. The two internationally recognised standards cover quality and environmental management respectively and provide another milestone for the company as it looks to scale production of the CitySprint and increase its presence in the UK electric commercial vehicle market.