The Tata name will be revived in the commercial vehicle market this year with the launch of the UK-assembled Tata Ace compact electric van.

Tata will offer three versions of the vans: a flatbed drop-side, tipper or box van, with the cost of the base chassis cab expected to be about £12,500.

The van will measure just 3,800mm long, although its loadbed dimensions will be 2,100mm by 1,500mm. Payload is 500kg.

The Ace will be electronically limited to 25mph, and have a maximum range of 30 miles. It doesn’t use lithium-ion batteries as favoured by many modern EV producers, instead using gel-filled lead acid batteries.

The Ace will be assembled a site in Coventry, alongside a small battery powered car called the Tata Vista.