Davanti Tyres OE on LEVC VN5 electric van

A subsidiary of Volvo- and Lotus-owner Geely, London Electric Vehicle Company has awarded Davanti Tyres its first OE approval. Davanti’s DX440 light commercial van tyre has earned 100 per cent OE approval for the company’s VN5 electric van, which has now entered full production.

The global electric van market has begun to boom in 2020. Demand is growing fast as fleets look to reduce emissions and real-world testing has stoked excitement for the cutting-edge VN5. LEVC is already taking orders for the VN5 in the UK with a left-hand drive variant available in Europe from Spring 2021. Every van that comes off the production line will be fitted with 215/60 R17c DX440 tyres when they begin delivery later this year.

“As a relatively young, British-owned tyre 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 tyre for their flagship van.”

“LEVC were determined to specify the right OE tyre for the VN5,” said Sean Maddocks, Davanti Sales Director for the UK and Ireland, adding: “…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 tyres 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.”

Davanti’s research and development team – which recently moved to a new dedicated research facility in Spain, is being credited as helping the brand emerge from the tests as the front-runner.

“Over the last 5 years, we’ve constantly refined the products in our existing range, including the DX440, as well as delivering a string of highly developed new products.”

“Securing this OE approval sends a signal to our partners that Davanti is committed to investing in the highest standards of quality and development to deliver a product range that they can confidently recommend to their customers.”