The first made-in-Wales zero emission electric commercial van from Stevens Vehicles - that does the equivalent of 250 miles to the gallon for 2p a mile - rolls off the production line this summer.

Stevens Vehicles, a start-up company which will be producing an electric car as well as a van, was supported by the Welsh Assembly Government to set up production in Wales.

The company has its production headquarters in ECM² in Port Talbot and anticipates their Zevan (Ze standing for zero emission) will create considerable interest when it goes on the market - particularly with the current cost of fuel.

The Zevan and the Zecar share the same platform and will have a top speed of 56 mph, a 50 mile maximum range and cost under 2p a mile to run. They will be clean and green with zero emissions – no toxins, pollutants, particulates, carbon derivatives or greenhouses gases - and do not require road tax.

The vehicles have been designed and developed by Professor Tony Stevens and now his son Peter (left) has set up the new Stevens Vehicles Ltd, to manufacture the vehicles for the UK in Wales. Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said the development of alternative fuels for vehicles has been championed and supported by the Assembly Government and Welsh automotive sector for a number of years.

“The Assembly Government has been actively supporting the automotive sector in the development of niche vehicles and alternative fuels and supply chains. The zero emissions from these new vehicles support the Assembly Government’s clean energy policy and we welcome the investment by innovative businesses like Stevens Vehicles,” said the Minister.

Both vehicles are designed to maximise internal space relative to the external dimensions- so although they are shorter and narrower than most compact vehicles they are taller thereby creating the equivalent space of a much larger vehicle.

The van has a square side load bay large enough to take standard pallets and wide doors for easy loading and unloading. The Tardis like design provides an attractive package for local small delivery and servicing uses.

The first van produced by Stevens Vehicles – made prior to their move to Wales- has just been sold to a small business in London where the benefits of using electric vehicles include free parking across central London and no congestion charge.

Stevens Vehicles is being supported by the Assembly Governments Accelerate Clusters programme which is geared to strengthen the auto sector in Wales by developing emerging technologies and identifying and exploiting niche markets.

Peter Stevens said the support and motivation of the Accelerate Clusters team had been invaluable.” Our base in ECM is spot on – the facility was created by the Assembly Government to help new businesses and we have everything we need on the doorstep.

“All the support and infrastructure is there – including security and office support. It has a machine shop on site which means we can make any modifications easily while other companies on ECM have complimentary skills that can be a real asset.”

He said the design and development work was carried out by his father from a workshop in Kent and their dream was to go into production and manufacturing.

“I chose Wales as the base for production and manufacture because of the help, support and enthusiasm we found here and are now taking that dream forward.

“It is very hard to set up a car manufacturing plant – it’s not just the question of raising the finance – it’s about getting the right support and the Assembly Government has been hugely helpful.”

The electric vehicle sector is a niche market and Stevens Vehicles believe they are getting in at the right time. The growing environmental pressure to reduce emissions coupled with the rising cost of fuel makes it an attractive proposition as the Zevans and Zecars can be charged overnight from any standard 13amp electric socket.

The Zevans are quite distinctive and can be used by commercial operators as a marketing tool to promote their environmental credentials and ideal for local urban deliveries.

The Zevan prototypes were launched at the Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC in April this year (right) and generated considerable interest. Stevens Vehicles has deliberately avoided the mass market route and are currently able to produce one vehicle a day with the ability to scale up to 1000 models a year and working with Accelerate Clusters to develop a local supply chain.

The Zecars - family sized vehicles capable of carrying five adults in comfort – should be in production by the end of the summer.