Modec

2002

eMercury project commenced within London Taxis International (a subsidiary of Manganese Bronze Holdings). The project was led by Jevon Thorpe, designer of the TX1London Taxi. Some development funding received from the Energy Savings Trust (EST), part of the Department of Trade and Industry.

2004

Three eMercury prototypes demonstrated - one conventional lead-acid battery powered, one hybrid vehicle utilising a nickel metal hydride battery and one utilising a high energy molten salt battery mounted in a removable cassette between the chassis rails.

Manganese Bronze Holdings announces its decision to focus on its taxi business. The eMercury project bought by Jamie Borwick, former CEO & Chairman of Manganese Bronze, who creates Modec Limited as part of Borwick Group.

Splits with drivetrain supplier Azure Dynamics, in favour of Zytek, commences development of production vehicles

2006

Announces partnerships with Lex Logistics for customer service, GE Commercial Finance for vehicle finance and battery rental and Axeon Power for battery cassette assemblies containing Zebra battery technology.

Unveils next generation of production intent vehicles at SMMT Commercial Vehicle Show. Fitted with an 85 kWh battery pack, they have a 2-2.5 tonne payload, a governed top speed of 50 mph and a range in excess of 100 miles on a typical urban duty cycle. Maximum torque of 300 Newton metres is delivered from rest, resulting in lively acceleration. Zebra batteries are used.

2007

Coventry production facility officially opened by the Rt Hon David Cameron MP.

Announcement of that the first vehicles built will be delivered to Tesco for home grocery deliveries.

Other deliveries included Center Parcs at their Elveden Forest park for servicing use, Accord, Amey, Speedy Hire, Hildon Water, London Borough of Islington and others.

2008

100th Modec vehicle produced, production at the Coventry plant ramping up according to plan (maximum capacity 5,000 vehicles per annum).

London dealer network expands to six sites; Distributors appointed in the Netherlands and Ireland

UPS has ordered Modec electric vans for its UK and German fleets. Energy costs play a huge part in the potential profitability of package delivery companies like UPS, DHL and FedEx.[3]

2009

Modec is the first electric vehicle in the N2 class to attain European Whole Vehicle Type Approval.[4] Modec has entered into a joint venture with Navistar International for North and South America. The Joint venture is named Navistar-Modec EV Alliance.[5]

2010

Navistar began deliveries of its eStar electric van manufactured in Wakarusa, Indiana, under licensed technology from Modec's zero-emissions delivery van.[1]

The only product of the Modec company was the Modec EV commercial vehicle. It was produced in three versions; a chassis cab, box van and a dropside. All three shared a common wheelbase of 141.7 in (3.60 m) and a steel ladder frame chassis. The Modec has a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes and a max gross capacity of 6.05 tonnes.[10]

The vehicles use an 102 bhp (76 kW; 103 PS) motor with 221 lb⋅ft (300 N⋅m) of torque and an exchangeable lead-acid battery which is charged from an external charger that requires a 32amp 3-phase supply to charge the vehicle for 6 hours, it also has options for Lithium-Ion Phosphate or Sodium Nickel chloride batteries.

It has a 100-mile (160 km) range and a 50 mph (80 km/h) top speed.[11]

• Battery electric vehicle
• Electric vehicle
• Smith Electric Vehicles

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Modec.

• Modec Limited
• Interview with Lord Jamie Borwick with Financial Times
• Interview with Lord Jamie Borwick at REAL BUSINESS about Modec
• Video of Robert Llewellyn driving the van from Brighton to London as part of an eco-rally