Caffyns has joined the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) dealer network with the opening of a new franchised retail location in Eastbourne, Sussex.

The new sites’ opening with the AM100 car retail PLC brings the alternative fuel vehicles brand’s UK dealer sales network to a total of 18 sites, as well as 32 service locations. 

Its latest growth follows a five-site expansion with Guest Truck and Van in December last year and this month's appointment of Gillanders Motors in Aberdeenshire.

LEVC chief executive Joerg Hofmann, who spoke to AM for a recent brand profile feature, said: ““We are pleased to welcome Caffyns to our UK network to represent LEVC in Sussex.

“With their rich history and excellent reputation, Caffyns will play a vital role in helping us grow our brand presence and customer base in the South of England.

“Their appointment is also part of our network growth strategy to ensure that LEVC customers are never further than 45 minutes from a sales and service point​.”

Caffyns will provide full sales and after sales support for LEVC’s TX electric taxi and new VN5 electric van, which began production at the company’s EV manufacturing facility in Ansty, Coventry at the end of last year. 

Caffyns chief executive, Simon Caffyn, said: “We are committed to working with manufacturer partners that are at the forefront of the environmental movement supporting the uptake of electric vehicles.

“We recognise LEVC as pioneers of this shift towards EVs becoming more popular. Both the TX and the new VN5 commercial van offerings are two very exciting new vehicles that are leading the green revolution.”

LEVC claims that its TX is the world’s first purpose-built plug-in hybrid (PHEV) taxi, adding environmental friendliness and a small turning circle the the iconic London ‘black cab’. 

Utilising LEVC’s eCity technology, TX offers 63 miles (101km) of zero emissions driving and a total electrically driven range of over 316 miles (510 km).

VN5 is based on the same architecture, delivering a zero emissions range of over 60 miles (98 km) and a total range of more than 300 (489km) miles.