UK Mineral Water Co. Buys Modec Electric Van

2 April 2008

Hildon, Ltd., a UK-based mineral water company, has purchased a Modec electric van (earlier post) for use in its distribution fleet, and has ordered a second. The electric van will primarily be used for deliveries of bottled water within the London area.

The Hildon Modec van. Click to enlarge.

The Modec van customized for Hildon is a box van with a raised floor and roof.  This configuration enables an entirely flat floor with no wheel arch intrusions, ideal for the loading and transportation of heavy, palletized products.

The Modec van features a 76 kW motor that delivers 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) of torque. Modec sells the vehicle but leases the battery packs, in this case a lithium-ion system from Axeon Power (earlier post). The initial Li-ion battery, which uses a Lithium iron phosphate cathode material, is rated at 51.2 kWh and provides a range of up to 70 miles on a single charge.

We like this chemistry due to its superior safety and longer life compared to Cobalt Oxide, Manganese Oxide or NCM (tri element) alternatives. Because we have a large, centrally located battery cassette, the lower energy density that the phosphate material delivers at the moment is less of an issue than it might be for other (especially converted) vehicles.

—Trevor Power, Group Strategy Director, Modec Limited

Axeon and Modec are also developing a higher capacity pack expected to deliver a range of around 100 miles on a single charge. This 100-mile battery pack is being developed for a start of production during the first half of 2008.