Innervated Vehicle Engineering to develop sustainable vans at MIRA
Following the recent announcement of a new green hydrogen production and refuelling facility, MIRA Technology Park’s cluster momentum for next-generation mobility businesses accelerated forward by another step with the confirmation that Innervated Vehicle Engineering aims to challenge the foundations of the light goods vehicle (LGV) market with the development of the van of the future from its new operation at MIRA.
IVe’s IndiGo van, which will be developed at MIRA Technology Park, will be derived from industry experience at companies such as Prodrive, McLaren, Cummins, Alexander Dennis, GM and FIAT among others.
IndiGo uses a clean and modular hydrogen fuel cell propulsion drivetrain, organic and non-metallic structural materials, optimised 3D space utilisation, low energy micro-manufacturing techniques and advanced connectivity to revolutionise the productivity of the vehicle, the well-being of professional drivers and deliver a zero emissions footprint for the logistics & delivery sector.
Premised on the return-to-base and transient (or mixed urban, rural and highway) itinerary of most diesel-powered LGVs, IVe’s engineers have developed a fuel-cell solution to provide IndiGo with an emissions-free, high payload, 600km daily shift capability that cannot be achieved with battery electric solutions.
The modular hydrogen drivetrain packaging allows IVe customers to be agnostic to fuel cell or hydrogen storage hardware suppliers, enabling fleet operations the flexibility to upgrade or change sub-assemblies without compatibility issues common to OEM-only solutions.
Proivding operators with fuel infrastructure and supply is integrated by IVe into its proprietary van-as-a-service offer. With lower operating costs, total cost of ownership is further reduced by IndiGo’s projected 15 year lifecycle, lasting 128% longer than the average diesel van and the company is also developing a retrofit solution for larger operators who have significant residual value in existing diesel fleets.
IVe’s challenge to the OEM model and its compelling financial proposition however is only one part of the revolution to tackle the frustrations and cost drivers of fleet management.
The IndiGo itself makes a number of significant breaks with tradition, utilising hemp in the construction of body panels that in turn dispense with the need for traditional paint processes, while non-metallic chassis fabrication does not requires high energy manufacturing processes such as welding.
The vehicle platform at the front has been laid out to optimise driver safety and manoeuvrability with a wheel-forward design, while payload has been enhanced with a low, flat floor with scope for an optional driver rest pod.
A central driving position enhances all-round visibility and minimises costs for operators working in both left and right-hand drive markets. Common fleet management costs arising from damaged wing mirrors has been circumvented with all-round driving cameras with HUD displays in the A pillars, while van theft has been tackled with all-round keyless entry, removing the potential for lock-breaking.
IndiGo has been backed by Innovate UK and is scheduled for pre-series trial orders in September 2023, with production orders arriving in early 2024.
Jack Bartlett, Head of Commercial & Partnerships at MIRA Technology Park, said: “We are delighted that IVe have chosen MTP as their home to revolutionise a critical segment in the automotive market and realise the ‘van of the future’ here. We hope the cluster of capability here aids the realisation of their radical and innovative engineering ambitions.”
Ram Gokal, CEO of Innervated Vehicle Engineering, said: “Finding a home for IVe has not been straightforward, but we have found all we need and more at MTP. There are many like-minded businesses looking to build the future of post carbon-based mobility here, so we are among great company, but above all, our personal connection with the team at MTP made all the difference to choosing where to base ourselves.”
Image: courtesy IVe
