ELM Mobility EVOLV: the £25,000 electric van reshuffling the last-mile delivery game

Prodrive Advanced Technology and Astheimer Design have partnered up to create the EVOLV; a last-mile delivery EV set to enter the game with impressive stats in 2028.

The recent rise of ecommerce, alongside the introduction of Low Emission Zones and similar restrictions, have brought with them a fresh playing-field: the last mile delivery market. And with a new game, comes new competitors.

This is where Prodrive Advanced Technology, known for their work in the world of rally and racing, and Astheimer, a design and engineering studio, have teamed up to form ELM Mobility. This UK based collaboration’s debut — the EVOLV prototype — is an electric quadricycle to “push the boundaries of what a last mile EV can achieve” set to tackle urban deliveries by 2028. 

Stepping into the ring with the likes of the pint-sized Citroen Ami Cargo, we’re predicting a game of last mile Top Trumps, and we reckon this could be a new winner.

Why only have one cargo area, when you can have two?

Embracing a ‘small footprint, big capacity’ mindset, the EVOLV has some impressive cargo carrying capabilities up its sleeve. 

To set the scene, the Ami Cargo uses 0.4m³ of carry space to lug 140 kg of goods when stacked to the brim. The EVOLV thoroughly one-ups this, offering an impressive 4m³, with 60% of the vehicle’s volume available as cargo space — a class-leading stat in the sub-800 kg quadricycle category (L7e), and edging it into small van functionality despite being half the weight. 

This is achieved through two configurable storage areas. The first of which can pack a 300 kg payload via the self-locking sliding doors on the sides, while the second is accessed through the rear ‘barn doors’, adding an additional 200 kg.

Going the distance

Next category: range. And again, the EVOLV seems like the card to have in your hand. 

Boasting a 100-mile range (more than double that of the Ami Cargo) the golf buggy-esque van is designed to meet industry demands, providing enough juice to cover the average last mile delivery shift. ELM estimate the 20 kwh battery can be refilled from 20-80% in under two hours, with their analysis predicting overnight charges to be the way of the future. Fingers crossed that UK infrastructure has caught up by 2028 to let that be the case…

Drivers may also rejoice to hear the top speed is a lofty 50 mph, avoiding the disconcerting feeling that comes with waving traffic by in what can quickly begin to feel like a slow-moving plastic box. Not bad for a quadricycle and will certainly make any city-to-city journeys during or between shifts a little more comfortable.

Further boosting confidence, we’ve spotted the commercial tuk-tuk sat on Kumho Ecowing ES31 tyres. This rubber choice reflects ELM’s eco-friendly ethos by reducing energy consumption while also boosting performance, suiting the EVOLV to a tee.

Simple, practical design

A meter longer than the Ami at 3.24 m, and a shade wider at 1.45 m, the EVOLV musters a 7.8 m turning circle — going toe to toe with London Taxis, and a huge assist when carving through busy urban environments. Although, for those of you still clutching the Ami Cargo trump card, this is your chance to boost your deck by playing its dainty 7.2 m turning circle.

Featuring a single seat plonked in the centre, the cab is ergonomically designed for easy access from either side when hopping out at delivery destinations. On top of being simple to use, features like the wraparound windscreen also make this a safe perch to operate from.

Further boosting this safety stat, ELM have put in the effort to ensure the EVOLV meets the passive crash standards you’d expect from a small van (N1), giving it protective performance well above its weight class for the driver and those around them. Should any minor bumps or scrapes occur, the ‘fared in’ headlights should remain protected and functional, while the modular body panels can be easily replaced.

But what do you think? Is EVOLV the set to trump its rivals? And do its stats justify a price starting at around £25,000?

Hero image credit: Newspress UK