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A small glimpse of (electric) light for the UK car industry

July 2nd, 2009 by admin | 0 Comments | Filed in Daily News, Retail

employment The car industry in the UK has not had its problems to seek, not only during the current recession but also well before it. So when something positive happens in the industry it should really be shouted from the rooftops.

And when it comes from one of the most innovative forms of environmentally friendly developments seen for many years, then no form of praise is sufficient. Coventry based electric van manufacturer Modec has won themselves a place in the history book on the announcement that they have been awarded a contract to supply 100 vehicles to a Paris, France distributor of distinctive urban delivery vans, ElecTruckCity. Mode’s van, the first of its kind to be designed specifically as a battery-powered vehicle, has become the first in its category to gain EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval.

Being a holder of a EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval certificate means the van can be sold anywhere within the European Union without the need to go through separate homologation procedures in every member country.

In the light of their success in Europe, Modec are actively seeking to be awarded US federal approval for their yet to be named truck.

The truck will be sold to the trade for around £30,000, meaning that Modec’s maiden order will be worth £3 million to them.
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CEO of Modec Bill Gillespie announced: “International demand for Modec is extremely strong. ElecTruckCity has taken the lead by setting up a distribution network in France and we are very excited about the future of the French market. “At a time when the automotive industry is full of doom and gloom we are pleased to announce our international expansion. This proves the future of the UK auto industry is green.”Mr. Gillespie continued.

A spokesman for ElecTruckCity announced that the Modec electric truck first captured their attention as well as their imagination at the 2007 Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC. “As soon as I saw the iconic vehicle I knew the demand for Modec would be strong in France,” said the spokesman, going on to add that the interest in electric vehicles is significant and with Modec we can meet the needs of urban vehicle operators. More than 150 vehicles are now on the road and production is set to increase in the near future to 400 vans in 2009 and triple their production to hit 1,200 in 2010.