Ultra-green Revolve van

It is developed by two British companies, Intelligent Energy (IE) and Revolve Technologies, which have invested over £5- (€6.1-) million in the project so far.

Having managed to put together a prototype of their ultra-frugal and ultra-green van. It uses a 75kW (100 hp) electric motor to drive the wheels, and when the battery is depleted, a Ford-sourced 67hp 1.4-liter diesel engine kicks in to recharge the battery. The 100 hp electric motor enables the van to sprint from 0-100 km/h (62mph) in a more-than-respectable 8.5 seconds and give it a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), while also being capable of extremely low fuel consumption figures, with a quoted 2.0l/100 km (138 UK mpg or 114 US mpg).

Its unique drivetrain combination gives it an all-electric range of 110 km (66 miles) and a fully ‘extended’ range of 740 km (463 miles). The companies’ main aim now is to find a way to put the van into production. However, with its unbeatable green credentials, investors would be foolish not to invest and start production.