Eco-Driven Delivery: How Neil du Preez Built MellowVans into a Global EV Success Story
Eco-Driven Delivery: How Neil du Preez Built MellowVans into a Global EV Success Story. Chemist-turned-entrepreneur Neil du Preez took a leap of faith, leaving commodities trading, he was determined to reinvent urban mobility. Inspired by the “last mile” delivery gap in South African cities, he founded MellowCabs, designing sleek three-wheeled electric vehicles. Within a few years, this initiative pivoted into MellowVans, Africa’s first locally manufactured electric delivery vehicle, and gained worldwide attention.
Below is a narrative of MellowVans’ journey highlighting key strategies, defining moments, and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Finding the Opportunity in Constraints
Neil saw inefficiencies within taxi culture for short urban trips. In response, he created compact, practical electric utility vehicles (EUVs) that avoided bulk while offering efficiency. After launching eight passenger-focused MellowCabs prototypes, international courier DHL challenged him to pivot: turn a cab into a delivery vehicle, and they’d test it.
Lesson 1: Listen to feedback and pivot boldly. A single customer can reveal an entirely new business path.
Pivot to Purpose
That conversation triggered a shift. Neil pivoted passenger cabs into electric cargo vans, prioritizing efficiency and utility. A name change to MellowVans reflected this focus. By solving a genuine delivery need, the product resonated immediately with companies like DHL, Takealot, Spar, Woolworths, and Mr Delivery.
Lesson 2: Be customer-led in innovation. Real-world utility trumps abstract concepts.
Standing Out with Quality and Design
MellowVans stood out by blending thoughtful design with functionality. With 2.4 cubic meters of lockable cargo space and a 130 km range, it outperformed motorcycles and standard vans in both volume and cost per delivery. Featuring locally manufactured parts and ISO certification, its quality enabled global exposure.
Lesson 3: Craft brand equity through design and execution. Good design sells in crowded markets.
Smart Funding and Scaling
MellowVans relied on a mix of personal investment, angel funds, and government grants from the IDC to kickstart operations. They scaled production gradually, moving from one to four units daily by April 2024 and aiming for ten units per day by August.
Lesson 4: Scale incrementally using smart funding. Slow and steady beats scaling on hype.
Building a Strong Ecosystem
Rather than just selling, MellowVans embraced a lease-based model with full service, telematics, and maintenance included. In 2024, the brand became the first South African OEM approved in Europe for homologation in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany.
Lesson 5: Build recurring revenue and ongoing client trust. Leasing locks in long term relationships.
From Local to Global Ambitions
MellowVans began exporting test units to Europe and plans to establish local assembly hubs overseas, possibly in the Netherlands, Hungary, or Egypt. With recognition at events like the Paris Auto Show and uptake by European companies, MellowVans is evolving from a local disruptor to a global EV contender.
Lesson 6: Think beyond borders early. International ambitions become accessible with proven design and compliance.
Lessons for Aspiring Founders
- Observe everyday gaps. Neil’s ride-share rejection led to EV development.
- Pivot on insight. DHL’s challenge sparked a strategic shift.
- Own your identity. Rebrand and repurpose when purpose changes.
- Deliver quality. Design, usability, and certifications earn trust.
- Use pragmatic financing. Mix bootstrapping, grants, and investment wisely.
- Structure recurring revenue. Leasing fosters loyalty and steady cash flow.
- Invest in compliance. International standards ease global entry.
- Scale gradually. Prioritize reliability before mass production.
Final Word
MellowVans began as an idea in 2014 and has grown into a scalable model for sustainable trucking, in Johannesburg and beyond. Neil du Preez’s journey proves that innovation rooted in local insight, customer-driven pivoting, and strategic scaling can build an internationally respected brand.
For entrepreneurs, this story is a reminder: notice small problems, listen to feedback, craft reliable solutions, and dream beyond your homeland, all while staying grounded in execution. In MellowVans we see a roadmap: build thoughtfully, scale steadily, and drive forward with purpose.
