The LWB high-roof van is one of seven permutations available in ACE EV's modular X1 Transformer.

The launch was hosted online by the Society of Automotive Engineers – Australasia (SAE-A), the Asia Pacific professional body for automotive and mobility engineering.

The Transformer's modular architecture offers interchangeable modules for long and short wheelbase, high and low roof, van and ute, and can change modules in just 15 minutes.

ACE EV managing director and co-founder Greg McGarvie said the X1 was aimed at major fleets around the world as an integrated energy, transport and communications system.

"We are a focused energy and software company with a Mobile Energy Management System (MEMS) that delivers new ways for energy and transport to work together," he said.

"For busy freight companies with their major distribution centres, the X1 enables them to fit a pre-packed module straight onto its electric platform and be on its way in 15 minutes.

"One platform can carry whatever cargo module is required – van or ute, high or low roof – so it is constantly earning its keep, whatever each individual freight mission may be."

A key feature of the X1 Transformer platform is advanced V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology which connects it via the Cloud to telematics, software updates, emergency power and ACE's pioneering Smart Energy Wallet.

Mr McGarvie said ACE EV had won $5 million in Federal Government funding through the strong advocacy of Senator Rex Patrick for an energy management trial to start early next year using the X1 Transformer as its test platform.

"Our Advanced Australian Vehicle To Grid (AAV2G) project will deliver bi-directional transfer between vehicle, building and grid with integrated on-board energy metering," he said.

"The system will enable the X1 Transformer to power an entire home or business, with the vehicle battery storing energy from rooftop solar cells or from the grid," he said.

"It can charge when the sun shines, provide night-time energy needs, supply emergency power when needed, feed back into the grid – and, of course, run the vehicle itself.

"We intend to have X1 Transformer trial vehicles on the road this November, with a view to beginning full-scale systems testing in April next year."

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