Skye's not the limit for Callum

New UK firm plots rugged commercial vehicle to follow £80k all-terrain sports EV

- JONATHAN BRYCE

The creators of the Callum Skye all-terrain electric sports car are developing a utilitarian pick-up variant, complete with a pared-back interior, a longer wheelbase, a wider track and, crucially, a lower entry price.

The commercial-focused truck will be based on the headline sports car but target customers working in fields such as forestry, quarrying or delivery services. It will offer all-terrain ability "suitable for proper utilitarian work", according to lan Callum, boss of the Callum design agency.

The Warwick-based firm is aiming to reduce the pick-up's purchase price compared with that of the £80,000 four-seater, with an eye on making it more accessible, and lan Callum said increasing volumes was key to achieving that: "If somebody were to ask me why it costs £80,000, I'll say 'because that's how much it costs to build them'. Unless you're going into 40,00050,000 units per year, you can't make them any cheaper." His company has already said it will make between 50 and 250 Skyes per year.

Speaking at the launch of the hardtop, Callum told Autocar: "The utility version of this vehicle is going to be a commercial-type car.