Danes ready to spark off in the UK
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A DANISH built range of electric vehicles , including a pick-up with a payload of around 750kg, is being imported into the UK. Some models are available now and others are expected to be introduced later this year and in 1985.
The importing company is HIL Electric Ltd, part of the Holden Investments group which manufactures Sevcon controllers. HIL Electric was registered in November last year as a company which will design and market electric vehicles.
John Holden of HIL says that "depending on sales volume" he hopes to begin manufacturing some of these vehicles in the UK in the future.
The range now available is the M range of industrial vehicles. These are manufactured by Merrilds Maskinfabrik of Snejbjerg and include tractors, platform trucks, personnel carriers and the 750kg payload pick-up.
This will sell for about £9,000 including batteries, and HIL says its relatively very low price is attributable to the fact that the vehicles was "designed from scratch as an electric vehicle". All the M range vehicles are constructed of steel with insulated cabs fitted with full instrumentation, and heating and ventilation systems. HIL says the pick-up is traffic compatible and has a maximum range between charges of around 100km (62 miles).
The M range uses Trigan Titan electric motors, Oldham batteries and Sevcon control gear. assembly plant.
Meanwhile Bedford, one of the four British-based manufacturers which are now building electrically powered versions of standard vans, has delivered its first electric CF to the Greater London Council.
The CF is being used by the London Community Builders department and is being tested for its suitability for inner city use. The GLC says it plans to buy more electric vehicles if the trial is successful. The on the road cost of the CF was around £12,000.