Legendary rally car maker Prodrive has built an electric cargo van

Prodrive, the company behind legendary rally cars and high-performance vehicles, is teaming up with Astheimer Design to create a small electric cargo van. The two British firms are working on a vehicle called Evolv, aimed at last-mile deliveries and urban utility.

The project, known as Elm Mobility, marks a new direction for Prodrive. The Oxfordshire-based company has made a name for itself with projects like the P25 Subaru 22B restomod, Le Mans-spec race cars, Dakar trophy trucks, and Colin McRae's Subaru rally cars. Now, they're turning their expertise to the world of utility vans.

Evolv is compact but packs a punch in terms of cargo capacity. The van stretches 128.0 inches (3251 mm) long and 57.0 inches (1448 mm) wide, weighing in at 1,874 pounds (850 kg). Its main cargo area stands 5.2 feet (1585 mm) tall and can handle over 660 pounds (300 kg) of cargo. A secondary area, accessible through rear 'barn doors', offers 3.9 feet (1189 mm) of height and can carry up to 440 pounds (200 kg).

The van's designers have prioritized maneuverability for city driving. Evolv boasts a turning radius of 25.6 feet (7,8 m), just a hair wider than a London taxi cab. The single-seat cabin features a huge wraparound windshield for maximum visibility, complete with two windshield wipers.

On the performance front, Evolv comes equipped with a 20.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack, offering about 100 miles (160 km) of range. Using a Level 2 charger, the battery can go from 20 to 80 percent in less than two hours. The van's top speed is set at 50 mph (80 km/h), though Prodrive and Astheimer are considering other battery configurations.

The Evolv is currently in the concept stage, but it's designed to meet N1 (small van) safety crash standards in Europe and falls under the L7e category. When it hits the market, it's expected to cost around $30,000 (£25,000).

Source: Autocar