THE London Electric Vehicle Company - maker of the iconic Black Cab - is expanding its operations and moving into the production of mainstream EVs.

With the backing of parent company Geely, LEVC has announced a new state-of-the-art EV platform it is calling Space Oriented Architecture.

The company, based in Ansty in the Midlands, says SOA is the world's first EV platform focused on setting new standards for onboard space, bringing interior-optimised zero-emission mobility to more consumers than before, while enabling LEVC to enter new sectors.

Developed over the past two-and-a-half years at R&D centres in China, Sweden, the UK and Germany, the platform offers multiple seating and load-carrying configurations.

It can support a wide range of new products - from passenger carrying models, to commercial vehicles, offering significant advances in range, efficiency, safety, charging time, durability and connectivity.

LEVC says that with a centrally-located battery, SOA delivers a fully flat floor, maximising space for occupants, cargo, or both.

At the rear, SOA utilises an innovative rear suspension design that incorporates extra carrying capacity underneath the main luggage area, behind the rear axle.

Supporting vehicle sizes from 4,860mm-5995mm in length and 1945mm-1998mm in width, with wheelbases from 3000mm-3800mm, SOA is said to be configurable for a wide range of EVs, from passenger-carrying models to cargo-optimised commercial applications.

SOA can also offer front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive layouts.

Alex Nan, LEVC chief executive, said: "LEVC enters the most exciting chapter in its history with the unveiling of our new innovative and highly flexible, space-focused, pure electric vehicle platform technology: Space Oriented Architecture.

"SOA optimises onboard space offering multiple configurations and endless possibilities, a new advanced EV platform which supports LEVC's new strategy to become a leading zero-carbon mobility provider."

He added: "For LEVC, the concept of ‘mobility' is not new. We have more than a century of ‘mobility' in our DNA. The iconic vehicles this company has produced since 1908 may have changed over time, but the core principles have not: they have always been purpose-built for the city, focused on the best occupant experience. A spacious experience.

"Building on LEVC's unrivalled heritage in producing the iconic London black cab, we are adapting our business to meet the rapidly accelerating demand for spacious, flexible electric vehicles. Our rich history is combined with the resources of the Geely organisation to set our brand on an exciting new path, as LEVC today launches an adaptable architecture for an adapting world. With the combined strength of our new strategy and SOA, we will bring advanced zero-emission transportation to more customers than ever before."

Details of the first model featuring the new platform are being kept under wraps at the moment but the company says it will be a ‘completely new' offering, launching LEVC into new sectors, in addition to its existing products.