Modec makes marketing movie, moves more merchandise
Despite the tightening of economies world-wide, Modec, that UK manufacturer of all-electric trucks, seems to be plodding solidly ahead with new marketing efforts and more sales. We were just telling you about its continuing success with UPS and now it seems they have added another half dozen vehicles to their order book from the UK's largest tool and equipment rental company, Speedy Hire. The fact that this is a return customer, as is UPS, is indeed good news for those fretting about the future of the technology. The trucks' low carbon footprint seems to be a large factor behind the deal as revealed in comments from Speedy Hire's safety, health, environment and quality director, Mark Turnbull. "Environmental performance is becoming a key purchasing decision for customers – not least because it now plays an important role in prequalification questionnaires. We are continually looking for new and innovative ways to help our customers reduce their impact while enhancing their bid credentials."
Besides making sales, Modec has been busy putting together a promotional 3 minute movie. Well shot and edited, the video shows us lots of trucks rolling down various roads, as well as being built, whilst a narrator touts the vehicles various qualities. Hit the jump for all the Modec movie madness.
Update: Added another trio of just-released Modec testimonial movies.
Gallery: MODEC - Electric Delivery Van
[Source: Modec / YouTube]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
gorr 2:49PM (11/23/2008)
Buying this is a risky business. It's easy to build something better. Im almost sure that they had tax breaks and subsidies from u.k goverment that is backing u.s.a since 2001 and the war in irak that kill 1000 or more peoples.
The easiest solution is a conventional diesel truck feed by bio-diesel from green algae. British goverment will be better with green algae farming in their territory instead of sending madscientists in irak to experiment toxic gas for humans.
Then there is hydraulic motors that have enormous power and need a 2 cylinder diesel engine to operate like the desigh of valentin technology.
Then hydrogen internal combustion engines or fuelcell but ice cost way less for now.
This truck with be out of the market in less then 6 months and will be re-adapted to another technology with another subsidies un-fortunately.
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Chris M 5:53PM (11/23/2008)
Why should buying a truck with lower operating and maintenance costs be considered "risky"? If you are concerned about batteries becoming obsolete, you failed to note that this truck was designed to adapt to newer types of batteries when they become available. Hey, if several improbable breakthroughs make H2 fuel cells and H2 storage affordable, it could even be adapted to that - though I just can't see why anyone would prefer using the much more expensive H2 fuel.
The other technologies you mentioned have their place, but can't match the high efficiency and low cost of batteries for local delivery trucks.
Why did you bring up the Iraq war? Modec didn't start any wars and isn't part of the British government, thus cannot be blamed for any Government misdeeds. Throwing that irrelevant info into your post just makes you sound even more loopy than usual.
state 3:29PM (11/23/2008)
"it seems they have added another half dozen vehicles to their order book "
A dozen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hold the phone.
Imagine the enormous risk if buying one of these dozen and then a year from now, having the entire company go out of business. Parts will be "special" order and quite expensive. Sounds more like a PR stunt than anything else.
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Chris M 5:34PM (11/23/2008)
The market for large delivery trucks is much smaller than the market for cars, so that limited number is not unusual, especially for a new and specialized manufacturer. For local short haul deliveries, an electric design is hard to beat, due to very low operating and maintenance costs. The beneficial "green" advertizing certainly helps sales, too. Modec should do quite well, unless some bigger truck maker decides to get in on that market.
Tom V 4:23PM (11/23/2008)
If this truck performs as claimed, it's a great truck and orders will surely start building. It's only natural that a new truck from a new company using new technology will have a slow uptake rate at first. Once they prove that it is for real - if indeed it is - then they will be successful with many others copying them.
For an urban truck operated with many stop/starts, I can't imagine a more efficient design than a pure electric. For longer stints, a diesel/hydraulic hybrid or even pure bio diesel sounds best.
An electric vehicle operates at 85% efficiency - and can recover energy while braking and uses zero while idle. Even factoring in the fact that the electricity comes from a utility that itself operates at 70% efficiency and then loses another 6% in transmission via the grid - the pure electric is still at least 50-60% more efficient than the closest alternative.
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Stan Wellaway 5:25PM (11/23/2008)
I totally agree with Tom V.
The two main makers of electric vans and trucks - Modec, and Smith Electric Vehicles http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com now have over 500 of them in use out there on the streets. The concept is proven. Two other UK makers have recently joined in. These are not wishful prototypes, these are production vehicles. Game on.
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