Electric truck developer Tevva opens R&D base in Warwickshire

Tevva has opened a new research and development (R&D) base in Warwickshire, as the UK electric truck manufacturer aims to scale up its operations in support of its drive to produce 3,000 vehicles a year by 2023. The firm is currently preparing to expand production of the truck at its main base in London, but said gaining presence at Mira Technology Park in Nuneaton opened up potential to attract more engineering talent to its rapidly-growing team. Tevva said its new facility would allow it greater scope to partner with other engineers and researchers at the cutting edge of electric vehicle technology who are working in the area.

It will also put the firm in close proximity to vehicle engineering consultancy Horiba Mira’s specialist engineering and testing capabilities, which includes extensive crash testing, climatic, dynamics and aerodynamic resources, Tevva said. The 7.5-tonne electric range-extender trucks developed by Tevva boast a range of up to 160 miles in pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) mode, or up to 310 miles using its range extender technology (REX), a fuel-based power unit that extends the range of a battery, and has been developed to use hydrogen fuel cells. “Mira Technology Park is second to none when it comes to automotive engineering and testing,” said Ken Scott, chief engineer at Tevva. “Our trucks, both now and in the future, will undergo development there.

Having a base there makes perfect sense as having a physical presence there will help us develop our technologies more rapidly. It also means lower overall costs for our research and development.” Tevva announced plans for its first manufacturing plant in London in October last year, where it said it hoped to produce around 3,000 vehicles a year by 2023.

Situated in the London Thames Freeport area, the new manufacturing plant – roughly the size of an Olympic running track, according to the firm – is expected to open this summer, creating 1,000 mechanical, software, engineering and manufacturing jobs over the next two years.

Tim Nathan, managing director of Mira Technology Park, said its state-of-the-art campus, home to over 40 businesses from the global automotive industry, would be well placed to help Tevva further develop its vehicles.

“The unique combination of engineering expertise, advanced testing facilities and prime location of Mira Technology Park in the heart of the UK automotive industry, ensures Tevva can develop and validate their vehicles in one place,” he explained.