A Queensland company has launched plans to build all-electric cargo delivery vans in Australia using local engineers and technicians.

Australian Clean Energy Electric Vehicle Group (ACE-EV) designed the 3.9 metre-long Cargo vanette to carry up to half a ton in weight.  It has the potential to lower greenhouse emission by 70 percent and running costs by 85 percent.

"It has a 33 kilowatt an hour battery with capabilities of up to 250 kilometres on a single charge with a partial payload - along with a maximum power output of 45 kilowatt an hour from the motor," said a spokesman.  "At the core of the vehicle’s design is lightweight carbon-fibre reinforced plastic monocoque, designed for fleet owners with a price tag of $39,995."

Currently, EVs are sold in Australia by manufacturers such as Tesla, BMW, Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, and Jaguar.  For now, ACE-EV is adding 100 new vehicles to that pool this year.

"If there is enough interest, this will be ramped up to 600 in 2020 and 3000 the year after," the spokesperson said, "While the accolades are already starting to come in, with an Innovation Award from Queensland’s Motor Trades Association, this plan comes with a caveat - if Australian fleet buyers don't get on board, production may go overseas."