Smith Electric Edison and Newton will bring electric trucks to the U.S.
Smith Electric vehicles are already sold in the U.K. and apparently there is expressed interest from fleet purchasers in the United States who want in on the fuel savings that the electric commercial vehicles can offer. In order to sell their electric vans and trucks here in the states, Smith is investing some $30 million in a new factory which will produce versions of the Edison and Newton electric utility vehicles.
Their Edison vehicle looks like the Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter and can travel up to 50 miles per hour with a range of 150 miles. The Newton vehicle is a delivery vehicle which can get 130 miles from its four 278 volt batteries. Those batteries are the Zebra Z5 batteries which use Sodium Nickel Chloride technology. They also offer the Smith Faraday and the ST, which do not appear destined for America. Just the smallest and largest offerings are expected here.
Related:
[Source: Smith Electric Vehicles and Green Car Congress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kardax 4:12PM (7/19/2007)
I wonder what they cost. A bare-bones diesel delivery van is relatively cheap, even if you factor in fuel and maintenance expenses.
Regardless, this is a good choice for companies looking to project a green image.
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John M 8:10PM (7/19/2007)
"Their Edison vehicle looks like the Mercedes/Dodge Sprinter"
It might do, but only to an American. Any European should be able to recognise that that's actually a Ford Transit.
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Kendall Tawes 11:15PM (7/19/2007)
I would love to see some electric Transits here in Charlottesville. There are already some imported small vans here and it would be nice if I could see the local plumbers not having to drive gas guzzlers to every house call. I know a couple of mates of mine that would love them as they are still holding out hanging on to an old battered Astro.
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John Lamberty 7:15PM (7/23/2007)
Just curious but is this electric vehicle NHTSA and DOT 500 certified? Have they crashed any vehicles to get certified? I would be interested to see if their battery technology can be certified in the US. If so, I think they have agreat product if the price is right. By the way, Miles Automotive just received the ZX40st, a similar truck to the Tiger Truck and will be offering that to Universities, cities, water treatment plants and other areas where an electric LSV is needed.
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