ACE EV ends ‘exceptional year’ with order from Woolworths for EVs

Australian electric vehicle developer ACE EV Group secured a contract with Woolworths to produce custom designed trolley collectors for trial evaluation, the ACE V1 Transformer TC Series (pictured).

Managing director Greg McGarvie wrote to supporters who have pre-ordered the company’s long-anticipated locally manufactured EV’s, telling them of the news and thanking them for their support.

McGarvie said: Australians have been quietly reserving over $11.7 million worth of ACE electric vehicles, which come in a small Series 3 Yewt form and the Series 4 Transformer van type.

“We are currently assembling the custom designed V1 Transformer TC Series – 20 trial vehicles for Woolworths.

“In late February the first V1 Transformer Van will make its appearance in Sydney, (and) it will be available for test drives.”

The Woolworths vehicle was first seen at a media event over Christmas that saw federal Energy & Climate Change minister Chris Bowen and Industry and Science minister Ed Husic at Woolworths ready to drive the new vehicles.

McGarvie said: “They were keen to test drive Australia’s first 100% electric Ute, designed then assembled by ACE EV Group, incorporating sophisticated product technology with advanced design features, each recognised as important, for low cost transport, low air pollution and improved delivery services lifting productivity levels.”

Ed Husic said he ‘loved’ to see Woolworths planning to convert their trolley collection vehicles nationwide to EV, using Australian made ACE utes which are now on trial at selected stores.

Husic said: “Energy Minister Chris Bowen and I got to have a test drive…and I tell you what, it was so good to see Australian know how in action.

“Thanks for inviting us Gregory McGarvie, well done.

“We’re keen to see more of this happen – which is why we’re setting up the National Reconstruction Fund – because an Australian Government should be backing Australian businesses and Australian ideas.”

ACE EV Group is assembling the first 20 trial electric vehicles in New South Wales, commencing in February.

The company is utilising a small temporary facility in NSW to ensure delivery of 20 trial V1 Transformer TC Series 100% electric vehicles for Woolworths.

ACE EV Group plans to announce a manufacturing site and a start date before July 2023.

McGarvie said: “It has been monumentally difficult, to establish this business in Australia, we are still a way out from the goal posts, however more confident, as we are now lining up to score.”

Picture: ACE EV

Further reading:
AUSTRALIAN STARTUP AIMS TO ASSEMBLE EVS IN Q4 2019
ACE EV LAUNCHES X1 TRANSFORMER MODULAR VEHICLES