Innovation Automotive

What Innovation Automotive does

Innovation Automotive Ltd, trading as Innovation Automotive UK, is a privately held UK distributor of battery-electric commercial vehicles incorporated in England (company number 11065805) and headquartered at Cirencester Business Park, Gloucestershire. Founded in 2021 with a staff of approximately nine, the company operated as the exclusive UK importer for Chinese OEM DFSK (Dongfeng Fengshen), launching the EC35 100% electric panel van in 2021 and subsequently adding the Skywell BE11 to its lineup after the EC35 was marked "No Longer Available" in 2024. Its core technology offering is a fleet-grade electric van: up to 166 miles WLTP range, CCS Type 2 charging (7 kW AC in ~6 hours; DC rapid to 80% in 60 minutes), 4.8 m³ cargo capacity, 1,015 kg payload, and standard infotainment including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Name

Innovation Automotive

Legal name

Innovation Automotive Ltd

Website

https://innovation-automotive.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Innovation Automotive is a UK-based distributor of battery-electric commercial vehicles, importing DFSK and Skywell models for commercial fleet operators and small businesses, supported by Halfords servicing and AA roadside assistance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Commercial Vehicles

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing (3361)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010)

akta.pro primary industry

Class 4–6 Medium-Duty Truck Manufacturing (IMACABAB)

Keywords

• Electric commercial vehicles
• Battery electric vans
• Fleet electrification
• EV distribution
• Commercial vehicle servicing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cirencester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Vehicle Sales: Sale of DFSK and Skywell brand electric vans and commercial vehicles to businesses and fleet operators. Primary revenue stream from new vehicle sales.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Innovation Automotive is the UK distributor for DFSK and Skywell brand 100% electric commercial vehicles, including the EC35 panel van and the BE11 electric vehicle. The company sells and supports these vehicles for UK commercial fleet operators and small businesses, complemented by a bundled after-sales support package covering a 5-year/75,000-mile vehicle warranty, an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, AA roadside assistance, and nationwide servicing through Halfords Autocentres.

Product overview

Innovation Automotive is a UK-based distributor of affordable electric commercial vehicles. The company operates as a single-brand portfolio offering DFSK electric vans, specifically the EC35 Panel Van (available 2021-2024). The core product offering is complemented by a comprehensive aftersales support package that includes a 5-year/75,000-mile vehicle warranty, 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, and 3-year AA roadside assistance. Vehicle servicing is provided through a national network of Halfords Autocentres. The company also offers downloadable product brochures and owner documentation for its vehicles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DFSK EC35 Panel Van A 2-seat 100% electric panel van distributed in the UK for commercial fleet operators and small businesses, offering up to 166 miles WLTP range, 4.8m³ cargo capacity, 1,015kg payload, 60-minute DC rapid charging to 80%, and standard features including air conditioning, reversing sensors and camera, Bluetooth, DAB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Was on sale between 2021 and 2024.
• Skywell BE11 Electric Vehicle Skywell BE11 electric vehicle distributed by Innovation Automotive in the UK as an additional electric model in the company's commercial and passenger EV lineup, available through the dedicated Skywell UK website.
• After-Sales Support Package A bundled after-sales support offering for Innovation Automotive vehicle customers that includes a 5-year/75,000-mile vehicle warranty, an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, 3 years of complimentary AA roadside assistance 24/7/365, and access to a national Halfords Autocentres EV-ready servicing network for annual servicing, repairs, MOT, warranty work, and recalls.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 166 mile electric range per charge
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• AA (Automobile Association)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe AA provides 24/7, 365 days per year roadside assistance for all Innovation Automotive vehicles. This partnership covers breakdown recovery, diagnosing, repair attempts, and recovery to nearest authorised repairer. All new vehicles come with 3 years' complimentary roadside assistance as standard.
• Halfords AutocentrescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHalfords Autocentres provides servicing and maintenance through their national network of EV-ready sites. Services include annual servicing, repairs, MOT testing, accessories, consumables, warranty repairs, and recalls. Services are due annually or at 15,000 miles whichever comes first. Booking contact: [email protected] or 01527 868535.
• DFSK (Dongfeng Fengshen)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInnovation Automotive is the UK distributor for DFSK electric vans including the EC35 and EC31 models. DFSK is a Chinese automotive manufacturer producing 100% electric commercial vehicles. The partnership includes warranty backing, technical support, and supply of vehicles.
• SkywellsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSkywell is an additional brand distributed by Innovation Automotive in the UK market, offering the BE11 electric vehicle model. Skywell-uk.com serves as the brand website for Skywell products in the UK.
• Euro Car PartsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as part of the full network of Innovation Automotive Authorised Partners and Repairers for parts supply and distribution.
• BCA (British Car Auctions)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as part of the full network of Innovation Automotive Authorised Partners and Repairers, providing vehicle remarketing and auction services.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Emerging players

• LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company): LEVC manufactures the TX electric taxi and VN5 electric van in the UK. It is a niche, UK-based commercial EV player competing in adjacent segments.
• MG Motor UK: MG Motor (SAIC-owned) is a Chinese-origin brand rapidly growing UK passenger EV sales with affordable, well-specified vehicles. It shares Innovation Automotive's value-led Chinese-brand positioning, though focused on passenger rather than commercial vehicles.

Broad incumbents

• Ford Pro UK: Ford's commercial vehicle division offers the e-Transit and E-Transit Custom, the UK's highest-profile electric van range. It is the dominant incumbent Innovation Automotive competes against in the fleet segment.
• Renault UK: Renault offers the Kangoo E-Tech and Master E-Tech electric vans in the UK. It is a broad incumbent with a long-established commercial vehicle presence.
• Mercedes-Benz Vans UK: Mercedes-Benz Vans sells the eVito, eSprinter and EQV in the UK, targeting premium fleet and commercial customers. It is a broad incumbent in the EV commercial vehicle space.
• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles UK: VW Commercial Vehicles sells the ID. Buzz Cargo and ABT e-Transporter in the UK. It is an established incumbent in the EV van market with strong fleet relationships.
• Toyota GB: Toyota sells the Proace Electric medium van in the UK as part of its commercial vehicle portfolio. It is an established incumbent with strong brand trust in the fleet market.
• Stellantis UK (Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën): Stellantis markets the Vauxhall Combo-e / Movano-e, Peugeot e-Partner / e-Boxer and Citroën ë-Berlingo / ë-Relay through its UK brand network. It is a broad incumbent with multiple EV van nameplates.

Direct peers

• BYD UK: BYD is a Chinese EV manufacturer expanding its UK passenger and commercial vehicle footprint with the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and upcoming commercial offerings. It shares Innovation Automotive's Chinese-origin value proposition and UK market entry positioning.
• Maxus (IM Group UK): Maxus is a UK distributor of Chinese-made electric commercial vans (eDeliver 3, eDeliver 7, eDeliver 9) operated by IM Group. Like Innovation Automotive, it positions around affordable Chinese-origin EV commercial vehicles for UK fleet and SMB customers, making it the closest direct competitor in the same niche.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IA_EVs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IAElectricVehicles
• Facebookfacebook.com/IAElectricVehicles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ia-electric-vehicles
• Instagraminstagram.com/iaelectricvehicles

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 Innovation Automotive