ElectricBrands, a German electric vehicle (EV) developer, has partnered with Dutch car manufacturer VDL Nedcar to manufacture its XBUS and Evetta models. The VDL Nedcar plant, located in Born, the western part of the Netherlands, will be the production site for these light EVs. The strategic location with good logistical connections in a central position between Germany and the Benelux countries was one of the reasons ElectricBrands chose VDL Nedcar as a production partner, according to the managing director, Ralf Haller.
The production of Evetta with the pilot series and delivery to dealers is scheduled to begin in early 2024, followed by XBUS production a year later. ElectricBrands can now ensure that series production will proceed, and the company can benefit from the Dutch company’s team of 4,000 in further development of its fleet.
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Originally, the production of the XBUS was scheduled to begin in the summer of 2022 in Itzehoe. In September of last year, ElectricBrands announced that it would not produce the light EV itself, but delivery dates would remain in place. VDL Nedcar is taking over from Itzehoe.
Although the planned start of production is not possible, the first vehicles will take about a year to produce. The pilot series of Evetta and delivery to dealers are scheduled for early 2024, followed by delivery to end customers. The XBUS will then follow a year later.
VDL Nedcar is highly impressed with the vehicles that will be manufactured in Born in the future. As a family-owned company with its research and development department, the L7e class of light electric vehicles, which includes XBUS and Evetta, has excellent potential for future mobility.
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Customers will be able to choose from nine XBUS variants, including pick-up, van, bus, and camper. The basic version will have a permanently installed 15 kWh battery, providing a range of approximately 200 kilometres. Additional exchangeable lithium battery packs will increase the storage capacity to 45 kWh and the range to 600 kilometres.
