Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has partnered with aluminium and energy company Hydro to drastically reduce production emissions of its new electric light van.
Working in the UK with the Norwegian company, WEVC will explore the use of certified recycled and low-carbon aluminium to produce bespoke patented extrusions for its eCV1 electric light commercial vehicle, which minimise carbon footprint and ensure responsible production.
Hydro’s low-carbon aluminium carries a CO2 footprint of 4.0 kg CO2 per tonne – in contrast to a world average of 16.7kg – due in part to the renewable energy used in the production process. In addition, the two companies will evaluate using recycled aluminium with a lower carbon footprint.
WEVC aims to cut embedded carbon in production of its eCV1 electric light commercial vehicle by more than 50% compared to other electric LCVs.
Its eCV1 prototype has a kerb weight from 1750kg, and the company is looking to produce 5000 vehicles per annum, in the 3.5t and 4.25t segments.
Testing of the vehicle began earlier this year as the engineering programme builds towards full design verification test sign-off and start of production in 2025.
Neil Yates, CEO of WEVC said: “Forming a development partnership with Hydro allows us to together make sure the new alloys have all the right strength and durability attributes and the lowest possible manufacturing emissions while considering the entire supply chain.
“At WEVC, we also recognise that repair, re-use and recycle philosophies demand changes in both product design, manufacturing process and business practice and this partnership with Hydro will also explore wider opportunities such as more sustainable closed loop recycling during manufacture through to end of vehicle life recycling options.”
