Electric vehicle helps Raptor deliver £1.5m sales boost

Ecospin, which is the brainchild of Leicestershire brothers Paul and David Loomes, has witnessed international demand for its three-wheeled EPV (pictured) with 350 units already destined for distributors in the United States and Australia. With support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), the company is now putting the finishing touches to a strategic partnership with ACE Forming to set up a dedicated production line in Dudley. This move will give the duo the potential to manufacture between 1500 and 2000 vehicles every year and could see sales reach £10m. Managing director Paul Loomes said he was surprised at the speed orders had grown since the vehicle's launch last year. He continued: "The big break came when we were approached by the global vehicle manufacturer Vectrix, who wanted to take the Raptor and distribute it in North America under the ES3 brand." "They were impressed with our vehicle's speed, range and ability to be driven over all forms of terrain, including gravel, grass and up steep hills. "Vectrix has already received sales of over 300 in the US, with the units destined for police forces, federal agencies and private security groups." Ecospin, which is located at a R&D and assembly facility in Leicester, has so far created six jobs and expects to create a further ten next year. The Raptor, which starts from £6,500, is the first in a series of electric powered vehicles planned by the Loomes brothers.