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DEVELOPMENT S witching to electric power to help save the environment
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is all well and good, but if it's going to be to the detriment of performance and reliability then the reality is that most Dperators will stick with what they know.
However, Coventry-based manufacturer Modec believes that its new electric truck makes a convincing argument for changing over, offering all the benefits and none of the negatives associated with electric vehicles.
Founded by Jamie Borwick, the man behind London Taxis International, Modec has already sold 15 of its vehicles to Tesco and negotiations are in the final stages with several other high-profile companies.
So what's their secret when previous electric vehicles failed to grab the industry's attention? Geoff Reyner, Modec sales and marketing director, believes the combination of congestion charging, increased awareness of carbon emissions and public image means the time is right for such vehicles to come to the fore.
"With the congestion charge expanding in central London, and several other major cities looking to implement it in the near future, the need for a practical and efficient vehicle is more relevant than ever," he says. Exemption from road tax and 0-licensing provides further incentives. Modees are built from parts that are 85% UK-sourced and 90% recyclable. Options include chassis-cab, flatbed/tipper and van bodies; prices start at £25,000 for the chassis-cab. Furthermore, operators' bodywork requirements can be met via a local manufacturer.
At the Modec's heart is a nickel-sodium chloride battery pack feeding a 102hp electric motor with 300Nm of torque. GVW is 5.5 tonnes with a payload up to 2.0 tonnes Range is still an issue with electric vehicles — the company claims a range of 100 miles on a mixed-duty cycle; while top speed is limited to 50mph to achieve the optimum balance hulween power and economy.
Who needs a gearbox?
Power is transferred through a single gear. ABS with electronic brake distribution (EBD) fitted as standard,as is keyless entry and a purpose-designed KAB seat.
For operators unsure about the reliability of this technology; Modec points to the nuMber of moving parts —just three, coMpared with the 300 in a typical diesel vehicle. Servicing is set at 20,000 miles while warranty is three years.
As regards the battery customers will ! rent it from the company over the vehicle's life Icycle, based on the expected user mileage with a surcharge for any excess. Modec claims the equivalent fuel costs are up to 20% lower than diesel depending on usage, with the cost of a full charge estimated at .E5. Once the rental is factored in, the cost per mile is likely to work out as a little less than that of an equivalent diesel.
But although the Modec vehicle looks goOd on paper, the real test is in the way it goes — after all, what use is efficiency if no one wants to drive it?
Entering from the side, behind the cab, is a novel but practical feature, allowing you to hop in and out safely while freeing up space in the cab — which,commendably, allows standing room.
The seating position offers plenty of space and good forward vision, thanks to the large flat windscreen.
A few decisions have yet to be made about the interior, as our pre-production model showed. But while it is some way off the equivalent modern truck in terms of layout, the Modec was easy enough to navigate and become accustomed to.
After start up, which amounted to a background hum, it was a matter of point and go. Pickup from stationary is good, dispelling those fears of being left standing at the traffic lights, and it accelerates to its top speed with enough pace to avoid any embarrassment.
And of course there's that lack of engine noise. Initially quite eerie, this becomes welcome— especially when you think of the chaos outside that accompanies urban work. It also manoeuvres with all the precision you could wish for, thanks to its incisive steering and taxi-like 10.8m turning circle, making it useful in tight spaces.
However, its suspension set-up could do with a little recalibration as the ride is stiff— over more uneven roads, a lack of compliance was evident. It also crashed into potholes rather more than its potential rivals, and build quality could do with being stepped up a notch — though Modec claims that this is being attended to with production models.
But in the overall scheme of things the Modee's performance on the road was a lot better than expected; allowing anyone to jump aboard with no previous experience and got on with the job.