What Compact Electric Vehicles does

Compact Electric Vehicles is a Dudley, England-based commercial electric vehicle retailer and exclusive UK importer for multiple European manufacturers, founded in 2019 with a current headcount of five. The company distributes a portfolio spanning light commercial utility vehicles, electric tow tractors, 100% electric shunters, golf buggies, heavy industrial transport systems, aerial work platforms, and industrial cleaning equipment under distribution and exclusive importer partnerships with Ligier Group, DEC, ATM/BLYYD, Cometto, Goupil, JLG Industries, and Hako. Its core offering is the Ligier Pulse 4 modular commercial EV platform — built on lithium-ion battery systems with anti-corrosion aluminium chassis and domestic-socket charging — which supports interchangeable rear configurations including flatbed, box van, refrigerated van, and tipper via the Pulse 4 Modular Clip System.

The business operates a multi-revenue-stream model combining outright hardware sales (new and used vehicles priced from approximately £29.54/week on subscription-equivalent used listings), Contract Hire and Lease Purchase financing on 2-5 year terms with bundled maintenance, flexible Vehicle Hire with fixed monthly payments, and aftermarket service and spare parts. Go-to-market is direct-to-customer through the company website, a phone-based consultative sales team (01384 238000), on-site demonstrations, and case-study-driven content marketing supported by LinkedIn, IMHX trade show participation, and an active blog. The customer base spans enterprise (Royal Mail, Nestlé UK, Aston Villa FC, Trentham Estate, Digbeth Estate, Little Aston Golf Club), public sector (NHS Wolverhampton, Ports of Jersey, Fair Oak and Horton Heath Parish Council, Bournemouth Coastal BID), education (University of Manchester), and SMB accounts (Scilly Spirit Distillery), with value propositions centered on Clean Air Zone compliance, 3p-per-mile running costs, and zero-emission mandate alignment.

Name

Compact Electric Vehicles

Legal name

Compact Electric Vehicles

Website

https://compactelectricvehicles.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Compact Electric Vehicles is a UK-based retailer and exclusive importer distributing commercial electric vehicles — utility vans, tow tractors, shunters, golf buggies, and industrial transport — from brands like Ligier, DEC, and ATM to enterprise, public sector, and education customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Electric Vehicles

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Supplies and New Parts Merchant Wholesalers (42312), Transportation and Warehousing (48-49)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Vans & Box Trucks (Light Commercial Vehicles) Rental/Leasing (TLABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Commercial Truck Leasing & Rental (Light/Medium/Heavy Duty) (TLABAHAB), Utility / Service Body Truck Rentals (THADAJAH), Municipal & Public Works Specialty Vehicles (Street Sweepers, Sewer Jetters) (IMAHAIAI), Specialty Vehicle Leasing/Rental (Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed, Utility/Service Bodies) (TLABAHAE)

Keywords

• Commercial electric vehicles
• Electric utility vehicles
• Electric tow tractors
• Fleet electrification
• Industrial electric transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Dudley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electric Vehicle Sales: Sale of new and used commercial electric vehicles including utility vehicles, tow tractors, golf buggies, and industrial equipment. Revenue generated from outright vehicle purchases across multiple brands (Ligier, Goupil, Polaris, GEM, DEC, Cometto, JLG, Hako).
2. Vehicle Hire: Flexible electric vehicle rental services allowing businesses to hire vehicles on fixed monthly payments without upfront capital costs. Benefits include risk-free trial periods, maintenance-inclusive options, and competitive bulk-purchase rates passed to customers.
3. Financing Services: Contract Hire and Lease Purchase financing options for vehicle acquisitions. Contract Hire typically runs 2-5 years including maintenance, while Lease Purchase provides ownership at term end. Both offer tax advantages including 100% rental offset against taxable profits.
4. Service, Maintenance and Spare Parts: Aftermarket servicing, repairs, customizations, and spare parts supply for all makes and models of electric vehicles. Offers both contract maintenance and ad-hoc service options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Compact Electric Vehicles retails and distributes 100% electric commercial vehicles in the UK, serving as the exclusive UK importer for Ligier Group (Pulse 4 modular electric utility vehicles), DEC Electric Tow Tractors, and ATM/BLYYD 100% electric shunters. The company sells new and used electric utility vehicles, tow tractors, golf buggies, heavy industrial transport systems (Cometto), aerial work platforms (JLG), and industrial cleaning equipment (Hako) directly to fleet operators, public sector bodies, and commercial organisations.

Product overview

Compact Electric Vehicles is the UK's No.1 Commercial Electric Vehicle Retailer and sole UK importer for Ligier Group electric utility vehicles. The product portfolio centres on the Ligier Pulse 4 range (Electric Box Van, Flatbed, Refrigerated Van) and Ligier Pulse 3 Electric Scooter, complemented by DEC Tow Tractors (TRZ, Bull 5N, Bull 10), ATM/BLYYD 100% Electric Shunters, and Capella/Sirius golf buggies. The company also distributes Cometto heavy load transport systems (EMT, Apollo, Voyager), JLG access equipment, and Hako industrial cleaning equipment. Service offerings include electric vehicle hire, financing options (Contract Hire, Lease Purchase), and comprehensive maintenance/support with spare parts. All Ligier vehicles feature modular clip systems for rear accessory customisation, lithium batteries as standard, anti-corrosion aluminium chassis, and 100% electric zero-emission operation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ligier Group (products): Exclusive UK importer of Ligier Group's Pulse 4 electric utility vehicles including Electric Flatbed, Electric Box Van, Electric Refrigerated Van, and Electric Tipper models.
• DEC Electric Tow Tractors
• BLYYD Electric Shunter
• Capella Golf Buggies
• Sirius Golf Buggies
• Goupil
• Hako Cleaning Equipment
• JLG Access Equipment
• Cometto EMT

Products and services

• Ligier Pulse 4 Electric Flatbed 100% electric modular utility vehicle with drop-side tray (short or long versions), optional hydraulic tilting tray operated by remote control, folding flaps for heavy loads, aluminium chassis, and lithium battery as standard. Targeted at commercial operators needing flexible flatbed transport.
• Ligier Pulse 4 Electric Box Van 100% electric urban mobility vehicle with lockable side and rear roller shutters, large loading space, shelving, optional power steering, and up to 246km/153 miles range. Designed for stop-and-go last-mile deliveries with zero CO2 emissions.
• Ligier Pulse 4 Electric Refrigerated Van 100% electric refrigerated van with ATP certification, independent refrigeration unit battery, and up to 1.2M3 cold storage capacity. Maintains constant temperatures for fresh produce, fruits, vegetables, and pharmaceuticals.
• Ligier Pulse 3 Electric Tricycle Three-wheeled electric scooter with pendulum system, customisable storage options, and easy manoeuvrability. Designed as a compact urban delivery alternative to larger electric vehicles for courier and last-mile operators.
• DEC Bull 5N Tow Tractor Three-wheel electric sit-on tow tractor with 5-tonne towing capacity, power steering, extruded steel mudguards, pressed steel front, and removable high-capacity battery. Operates indoors and outdoors for hospital, distribution, and industrial logistics.
• ATM/BLYYD 100% Electric Powered Shunter Shunter developed from the ground up with 100% electric technology and unique battery change option for 24/7 availability. Pulls trailers and semi-trailers up to 44 tonnes with zero emissions.
• Capella 2 Pro Golf Buggy Lithium-ion powered golf buggy with maintenance-free battery, Bluetooth battery level monitoring, and hill-holding technology. Targeted at golf club fleets at a competitive price point.
• Sirius 2+2 Golf Buggy Electric four-passenger buggy with rear seat that flips to carry 150kg of cargo. Features hill-holding, 25mph top speed, maintenance-free lithium-ion battery with Bluetooth monitoring, and optional road registration.
• Capella 2HCX Lifted Golf Buggy Lifted electric buggy with 170mm ground clearance, off-road tyres, canopy, tinted Perspex screen, hill-holding technology, electric tipping bed with drop-down tailgate, 25mph top speed, 60-80 mile range, and optional 320kg tow hitch.
• Capella Work Machine All-electric utility buggy for moving people and equipment with hill-holding, self-draining canopy, glass windscreen, electric wiper, electric tipping bed, and optional 520kg tow hitch.
• Cometto EMT Electric Modular Transportation Self-propelled modular transporters with 2, 4, and 6 axle configurations, payload capacity up to 1,000 tonnes, large diameter cushion tyres for indoor/outdoor use, zero emissions, and silent operation for heavy-load industrial projects.
• Cometto Self-Propelled Heavy Industrial Systems (Apollo/Voyager) Heavy industrial transport systems including the Apollo three-trolley triangular configuration with radio remote control and the Voyager system (patented 2019, highest capacity/size ratio) for aerospace, naval, and nuclear applications.
• Hako Industrial Cleaners and Scrubbers German-engineered pedestrian and ride-on scrubber driers and sweepers for industrial and commercial cleaning applications with 95% parts held in stock and next-day UK delivery.
• JLG Aerial Work Platforms Electric and engine-powered scissor lifts, boom lifts, vertical lifts, and stock pickers from JLG Industries for indoor/outdoor construction and maintenance tasks.
• Electric Vehicle Hire Flexible short-term and ongoing electric vehicle rental service with fixed monthly payments, optional maintenance contracts, and competitive bulk-purchase rates for businesses wanting to trial vehicles or meet temporary fleet needs without capital outlay.
• Vehicle Financing (Contract Hire / Lease Purchase) Financial acquisition options including Contract Hire (2-5 year terms, bundled maintenance, 100% rental offset against taxable profits, off-balance sheet) and Lease Purchase (ultimate ownership at term end, immediate VAT recovery on capital cost). Tax-efficient fleet funding for UK businesses.
• Service, Support and Spare Parts Aftermarket servicing, repairs, customisations, refurbishments, and modifications for all makes and models of electric vehicles at a modern workshop, with contract and ad-hoc maintenance options and spare parts supply.

Quantifiable outcome

• Running costs reduced to 3p per mile compared to petrol/diesel equivalents
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ligier GroupflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive UK importer partnership for Ligier Group electric utility vehicles, including the Pulse 4 range of modular commercial EVs. The Ligier Group is Europe's number one supplier of electric micro-utility vehicles, having supplied European postal services since 2010. Compact Electric Vehicles has partnered with Ligier for a decade, expanding the range available in the UK to include Box Vans, Refrigerated Vans, Flatbeds, and Flatbed Tippers.
• DEC (Dec Modena)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive UK importer for DEC Electric Tow Tractors, including Bull and TRZ series with towing capacities from 1,500kg to 10,000kg. DEC products are manufactured in Italy and feature innovative design with extruded steel mudguards and pressed steel construction.
• ATM (BLYYD)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive UK importer for the ATM 100% Electric Powered Shunter, the only shunter on the market developed from the ground up with 100% electric technology and unique battery change option enabling 24/7 continuous operations. Also marketed as BLYYD ATM shunter.
• ComettocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPartnership for Cometto EMT (Electric Modular Transportation) self-propelled modular vehicles and heavy load transport systems, suitable for payloads from 15t to 15,000t+ for industrial applications including aerospace, shipbuilding, and project logistics.
• GoupilminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUK distribution partnership for Goupil electric utility vehicles, compact electric vehicles designed for urban and industrial applications.
• JLG IndustriesminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUK distribution partnership for JLG aerial work platforms including scissor lifts, boom lifts, stock pickers, and vertical lifts for access equipment needs.
• HakominorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerUK distribution partnership for Hako industrial cleaning equipment including scrubber driers, sweepers, and commercial cleaning machines built with German engineering quality.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC): UK manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles (e.g., VN5 range-extended van) targeting fleet and taxi operators. Comparable in the UK commercial EV space but operates as an OEM rather than a distributor.
• Volta Trucks: UK-headquartered electric commercial vehicle manufacturer focused on medium-duty urban delivery trucks. Competes for the same fleet electrification budget at large enterprise customers (e.g., logistics and postal operators) but at a different vehicle-class scale than Compact Electric Vehicles' micro-utility range.
• Maxus (SAIC Motor): UK distributor of Chinese-built electric vans (eDeliver 3, eDeliver 7, eDeliver 9) targeting commercial fleets. Comparable channel-based business model importing and selling electric commercial vehicles into the UK, often with hire/finance options.
• Arrival: UK-based electric vehicle manufacturer targeting light commercial vans for last-mile delivery fleets. Overlaps with Compact Electric Vehicles' core customer segment (postal, parcel, urban logistics) but competes in the larger van class versus Ligier's micro-utility platform.

Others

• Toyota Material Handling UK: UK distributor of Toyota industrial electric trucks, tow tractors, and material-handling equipment. Comparable in industrial/tow-tractor product lines sold to warehouses, manufacturing, and logistics operators, though broader in forklift scope.

Broad incumbents

• Ford Pro (Ford Commercial Vehicles): Major commercial vehicle OEM with the E-Transit family and Pro fleet services. Competes for the same UK fleet electrification wallet and benefits from brand familiarity, dealer scale, and integrated finance offerings that dwarf Compact Electric Vehicles' footprint.
• Iveco: European commercial vehicle OEM with a full electric portfolio (eDaily, eVans) competing directly with Compact Electric Vehicles' Ligier range at the larger payload end. Broad incumbent with nationwide dealer and service networks that small specialists cannot match.
• Goupil Industrie (Ligier Group): Parent of Ligier Group's utility vehicle division and manufacturer of the Goupil light electric utility vehicles that Compact Electric Vehicles distributes in the UK. Comparable as a direct OEM relationship and product-line counterpart; could disintermediate by selling direct.

Direct peers

• Ecovolta / Pure Electric Vehicles UK: Independent UK retailer/importer of compact commercial electric vehicles (utility, last-mile, industrial tow tractors). Comparable specialist-distributor business model with multi-brand portfolios and B2B enterprise targeting.
• Zenith Electric Vehicles: UK-based commercial electric vehicle retailer and importer offering a broad portfolio of e-vans, utility vehicles and tow tractors. Closely comparable business model to Compact Electric Vehicles, including exclusive supplier partnerships, hire/finance options, and direct-to-enterprise sales.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CompactEV
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRHtgqnRGvFI6mFprONzqqA
• Facebookfacebook.com/compactelectricvehicles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/compact-electric-vehicles

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Compact Electric Vehicles