The XT320E is the first of four XT vehicles on offer from UK electric vehicle specialist, ePower Trucks.

Available from £30,000, the standard XT320E electric LCV is capable of 60 miles on a full charge of its 13KwH battery pack and can carry a 1,000kg payload.

The battery technology, which is adapted from successful military use, is maintenance-free and can operate at temperatures of up to -20?. The packs can also be swapped out in less than 30 minutes, using a forklift truck.

Jerry Hanss, managing director of ePower Trucks, said: “We looked at what was available on the market and identified a gap for a lower cost EV, with better range performance.

“Our expertise is in robust, pragmatic electric utility vehicles, so we used that experience to address the market from a different perspective. What we have delivered is a vehicle with a very attractive whole life cost model, which is also zero emission.”

The vehicle is also available with a double battery pack, increasing the range to 120 miles, while still delivering a payload of 670kg and a GVW of 3.5t.

‘Fuel’ costs are just over 2p per mile, according to the manufacturer, compared to around 22p per mile for a diesel 3.5t LCV operating in urban areas. Coupled with lower maintenance and service costs, ePower Trucks says the vehicle can pay for itself in around four years, or three years if operated in the London congestion charge zone.