The plan for an electrical vehicle manufacturing operation in Gwynedd, Wales which could create up to eighty-five new jobs has been revealed. Businessman Iain Falconer wants to become the United Kingdom’s leading supplier of commercial electric vehicles and he is already in talks with three major fleet owners.
Mr Falconer wants to supply 12,500 electric vans and pick-ups over the next three years and talks over the details of a brand new factory unit in Minffordd are nearing completion with the Welsh Government, which owns the site. Iain Falconer has big plans for his company Better by Miles and estimates the factory will be up and running by the end of the 2012. He is using his lifetime’s expertise in the motor industry to fit bespoke battery units to the chassis of the vans. Computer-simulated results will be used by Better by Miles to equip vans with battery packs that are appropriate to their intended use.
Better by Miles was established twelve months ago and is a dealer for DFSK Loadhopper. The Loadhopper is the first of at least two DFSK light commercial vehicles heading for these shores in what is the first Chinese vehicle brand to be introduced to the United Kingdom. The Chinese company, who once supplied components for Bedford and Suzuki vans, now manufactures their own mini vans and have already sold 360,000 in Asia. There is a likeable charm to the basic Loadhopper, and it is expected that fleet managers will soon be looking online for van insurance quotes as the Loadhopper will successfully fill a large gap in the UK light commercial vehicle market.
Mr Falconer said: “The problem with off-the-shelf electric vehicles is that their mileage and carrying loads are not suitable for every user. One vehicle may offer a range of 60 miles and carry half a tonne. But that is no good if you need to do 120 miles between charges and carry a box of flowers. We will be able to equip vehicles with batteries that are right for the job and change them if their use alters.”
Tags: electric vans, jobs, van insurance quotes