London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) has announced the appointment of ABVV Group in Paris as its first dealership in France. ABVV Group will provide complete sales and aftersales support of LEVC’s range of state-of-the-art, British-built electric TX Taxi, TX Shuttle and VN5 Van models.
The appointment will significantly strengthen LEVC’s presence in France, building upon the fleet of 300 TX Taxis in operation with Caocao Mobility Paris. Since late 2019, customers in the French capital have been able to hail an iconic, electric drive ‘London Black Cab’ at the tap of an app.
Joerg Hofmann, LEVC CEO, said: “Our electrically-driven TX Taxi has been serving passengers on the streets of Paris for some time now. As part of our global growth strategy, we ensured the TX was approved for use in the French capital in 2018. However, by now appointing our first dealer in France, ABVV Group will escalate the number of TX Taxis in operation in the capital and beyond to another level, while also introducing and supporting the TX Shuttle and VN5 Van as well.
“The French government has shown great foresight and determination to accelerate their journey to clean air mobility through a broad range of EV-focussed grants and financial incentives. Such measures have been proven across Europe to motivate customers to make the switch to sustainable vehicles. Along with ABVV Group, LEVC is pleased to offer yet further incentives in the form of our TX, TX Shuttle and VN5.”
The VN5 is eligible for France’s ‘bonus écologique,’ which equates to €5000 for business operators and €7000 for private customers. The VN5 also qualifies for France’s ‘Prime à la conversion’ scrappage scheme with a maximum benefit of €9000. A third financial bonus is also available for those living or working in regional Low Emission Zones and beneficiating of a local subsidy, up to a maximum value of €1000.
Taxi or ride-hailing businesses choosing the TX qualify for a €6000 region ‘Île de France’ grant, dedicated to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). A separate, non-cumulative grant of €4000 is also available for Parisian taxi licence-holders.
Every LEVC vehicle benefits from lightweight aluminium construction and is underpinned by the company’s breakthrough eCity technology. This system combines a fully electric drivetrain providing zero-emission mobility with an onboard range extender for optimum flexibility and efficiency. In the case of the TX and TX shuttle, this technology ensures a pure electric driving range of 64 miles (103km) and a flexible range of more than 318 miles (512 km), while the VN5 van can deliver a pure EV range of over 63 miles (102km) and a total flexible range of more than 318 miles (513km).
Bedros Izikan, General Director of ABVV Group, said: “ABVV Group is pleased to announce the addition of LEVC to its portfolio. The appointment confirms the group’s ambitions to become a major player in regional mobility. LEVC’s advanced engineering provides exceptionally efficient solutions for our customers to take the next step towards sustainable mobility. The vehicles’ game-changing eCity range-extending technology offers additional reassurance to keep vehicles on the road for full duty cycles and optimise profitability.”
Martin Rada, LEVC Managing Director Europe, said: “ABVV Group provides the perfect blend of experience and ambition that we at LEVC seek for in a new partner and takes our number of dealers in Continental Europe to 34. ABVV Group has an excellent reputation for customer relations and technical support. With a very strong team led by General Director Bedros Izikian, we are confident our first dealer in France will further electrify the streets of Paris and beyond with our TX Taxi, TX Shuttle and VN Van.”
