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Prodrive And Astheimer Debut EVOLV: Revolutionizing Last Mile Deliveries
Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design have unveiled EVOLV, a compact and efficient electric quadricycle designed for last-mile deliveries. This vehicle, showcased at Cenex Expo 2024, offers a cubic load capacity comparable to mid-size vans. The project received support from the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK.
With urban areas increasingly implementing clean air zones and online sales on the rise, logistics firms need versatile, zero-emission vehicles. Current options often lack reliability, safety, or are too large and costly. Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design aimed to create a more efficient solution with EVOLV.
The EVOLV demonstrator meets N1 load capacity and passive safety crash standards in an L7e package. It brings reliability, safety, versatility, and efficiency to fleet operators whose needs are currently unmet. The vehicle is one of ten projects supported by the UK Government's Department for Business and Trade through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK.
EVOLV is designed to be the most capable, safe, and efficient L7e category quadricycle. Weighing under 600kg excluding batteries, it can be driven with a standard car licence. Measuring 3,240mm long, 1,450mm wide, and 2,150mm high with a total weight of 850kg including batteries, it offers two configurable load areas providing 4m³ of load space.
The design accommodates a 1.6m tall Euro pallet with a 300kg payload in the main load area. This area is accessed via secure self-locking sliding doors with a 300mm load bed height. The secondary load area provides additional space for a 1.2m tall Euro pallet and a 200kg payload through rear ‘barn doors’. This versatility sets EVOLV apart in its category.
Disruptive Design
EVOLV's design is lightweight, robust, and simple. It follows Astheimer Design's philosophy of removing everything superfluous. The architecture minimises the driver cabin while maximising the load space for efficiency. The skateboard-style chassis allows for a 1.6m high 300kg Euro pallet.
The interior focuses on driver ergonomics with an intuitive user interface for easy transitions between drivers. A central driver seat offers better visibility of pedestrians and cyclists through a wraparound windscreen. This design streamlines variants for both UK and European markets.
High Uptime and Low Maintenance
EVOLV is designed for high uptime with a tight turning circle of 7.8m—comparable to a London taxi's capability—allowing quick manoeuvring in congested streets. Fared-in headlights reduce damage risk while modular body panels can be easily replaced if needed.
A battery capacity of up to 20kWh offers an ample range of 100 miles while achieving a top speed of 50mph (80km/h). Charging from 20-80% takes less than two hours using existing infrastructure equipped with Type-2 connectors.
Industry Backed
EVOLV was one of ten recipients selected to receive part of APC’s £22.7 million investment in fast-start projects for automotive products development. Prodrive’s capability to design, develop, produce parts in low volume ensured meeting APC’s requirement to display a demonstrator within one year.
ELM Mobility Launched
Recognising EVOLV's potential, Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design founded ELM Mobility on September 4th, 2024. This joint venture aims to produce the first ground-up last mile delivery platform by 2028 with prices starting around £25,000.
"We have assembled logistics specialists, designers and engineers to deliver solutions that will make a difference," said Dr Iain Roche, CEO of Prodrive Advanced Technology and co-CEO of ELM Mobility.
Production Planned for 2028
The EVOLV demonstrator will now be used in discussions with stakeholders in logistics, retailing and food deliveries ahead of certification. Pre-series production vehicles will be trialled by customers before starting UK production in 2028.
"Astheimer Design has built a talented team focused on designing mobility solutions for a sustainable future," said Carsten Astheimer.
"ELM Mobility aims to lead zero-emission last mile transport," added Roche.
The new company plans to create small electric vehicles that offer game-changing efficiency for customers worldwide.
"Our goal is to become an iconic UK brand," said Astheimer.
The collaboration between Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design has resulted in EVOLV—a vehicle that promises reliability and efficiency for last-mile deliveries while meeting stringent safety standards.
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