British EV manufacturer London Electric Vehicle Company has awarded Davanti Tyres its first OE approval.
Davanti says its DX440 light commercial van tire has earned 100% OE approval for LEVC’s groundbreaking VN5 electric van – which has now entered full production. Every van that comes off the production line will be fitted with 215/60R17c DX440 tires when they begin delivery later this year.
“As a relatively young, British-owned tire manufacturer it’s exciting to become OE on the first electric van designed and built in Britain,” said Davanti Tyres’ general manager, Peter Cross.
“The VN5 represents the global future of transport logistics. We already know from the success of their TX5 electric taxi that LEVC will play a major role in the future of global transport infrastructure. For Davanti to earn its place on this project is a fantastic achievement. After a comprehensive testing process, the data LEVC gathered gave them the confidence to trust Davanti as the OE tire for their flagship van.”
With so much attention on LEVC’s first electric van, the company says it implemented a rigorous testing program, incorporating a number of established brands.
“LEVC were determined to specify the right OE tire for the VN5,” said Sean Maddocks, Davanti sales director for the UK and Ireland. “They wanted to find a product that delivered on handling, longevity and comfort despite the unique challenges posed to tire manufacturers by electric vans.
“They carry extra weight distributed in a very different way to a traditional van due to the battery. They deliver more torque than a regular van, which poses its own challenges for tires and the steering angles are tighter.
“For that reason LEVC’s OE approval tests were incredibly tough. They were committed to getting this right for their customers and they compared a number of brands at the UK’s leading proving ground – Horiba MIRA before choosing the DX440.”
