Hailsham-based JLC Group hosted an array of VIPs recently to display its electric vehicle developments and investments in local employers.
The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, President for COP26 and a Minister of State at the Cabinet Office, along with Wealden MP Nus Ghani visited the company which builds small electric vehicles at its base in Lower Dicker and plans to create more than forty new jobs in the Wealden area. They were joined by East Sussex County Councillor Gerard Fox and Councillor Toby Illingworth, Chairman of Wealden Conservatives.
The visit was to show how the JLC Group is supporting other businesses to work towards a greener future, by designing, manufacturing and supplying electric vehicles. The company also designs, installs and maintains specialist systems and hardware, ranging from blast-enhanced automated security systems and access control systems to aviation ground power.
Tony Hayes, Managing Director of JLC Group Ltd said: “We have recently taken on two apprentices, from the local area. We are engaging with the University of Brighton and working in partnership with them in relation to our sister Company INDe EV Limited, within which we are designing and building a new electric van from the ground up, utilising a UK supply chain and intending for as much as possible to be recyclable!”
The visitors enjoyed a short emission-free trip out in the company’s ‘NOSMOKE’ beach style buggy along the A22 – the vehicle can seat four people can reach 44mph.
One of the company’s current range of vehicles include a unique looking van called the ‘Orca’. It has a load capacity of up to 1,000kg and can be adapted for city couriers, airports, seaports, local authorities, distribution centres or warehouses. The vehicles are assembled on-site, providing jobs and experience to young apprentices from local colleges.
To prove the versatility of the Orca, with a maximum range of 125 miles to a full charge, the team from JLC completed the London to Brighton Electric Vehicle Rally.
The original article is available here.
