The U.K.’s Helixx announced today that it has built the first example of its tiny electric delivery vehicle. That means that its innovative manufacturing process, which promises to make manufacturing around the world cheap and easy, has been proven effective.
The cute little van is just one of a handful of commercial vehicles that Helixx plans to build on its platform. The simple workhorses are intended for use in tightly packed cities and developing economies around the world.
The body is made entirely of a recyclable polymer, which avoids the use of expensive, carbon-intensive steel. The entire shell of the vehicle comprises just five parts that “click and bond” together, simplifying the manufacturing process by up to 50 percent, Helixx says.
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That not only makes the vehicle “effortless” to assemble, it also makes the process cheap. That will allow partners in other parts of the world to quickly set up manufacturing facilities, which Helixx plans to support.
The construction of its first vehicle helped validate that it had achieved its goal of realizing a “first-time-fit” during the bonding process. That precision means that it doesn’t have to use stamped metal body panels.
“We developed this demonstration vehicle to prove and stress-test the global replicability of our digital-first approach,” said Steve Pegg, Helixx CEO. “The vehicle visually represents what licensed Helixx Mobility Hubs can produce in as little as 180 days from initial site survey to vehicles rolling out onto the street.”
The vehicle is built around a hybrid aluminum chassis, and offers 74 cubic feet (2,100 liters) of storage, 1,102 lbs (500 kg) of hauling capacity, and 55 inches (140 cm) load space. Powering it will be removable Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries that Helixx says are designed to provide users with 24 hours of uninterrupted usage. The steering wheel is located in the center of the vehicle to make it compatible in left- and right-hand drive markets.
Helixx says that once built, it will offer its vehicles to users on a subscription basis, and that they will cost just $0.25 per hour to operate. In addition to this cargo van, it also plans to create a pickup truck, as well as open and closed body versions for passenger transportation.
Now, Helixx plans to show off its creation, and will ask for in-market feedback on the design. It then plans to start a production run of 100 vehicles at a pilot facility in the U.K. before rolling out vehicles and factories in Southeast Asia.
