Trucks Will Deliver Goods and a Better World

Ken on March 28th, 2009

Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. Corporation (SEV U.S. Corp) recently announced its plan to assemble all-electric zero-emission commercial vehicles in the US. The very first green commercial truck is scheduled to roll out of assembly line in third quarter of 2009. The company will initially focus its production on battery-electric-powered vehicles for depot-based predictable-route delivery.

SEV U.S. Corp is a privately held company and is owned by U.S. investors and The Tanfield Group Plc, based in the United Kingdom. Tanfield is also the parent company of Smith Electric Vehicles, the leading manufacturer of zero-emission battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe since the 1920s. Smith has produced the Newton truck in Europe for more than three years and has sold vehicles to major fleet operators in sectors such as mail and parcel delivery, logistics, retail, highway maintenance and airports.

According to SEV U.S. Corp, Canteen Vending Services has already shown strong interest to purchase some of the first zero-emission vehicles to rool off the assembly line. Frito-Lay North America and Pacific Gas and Electric Company have also signed on as launch partners.

“We feel the greatest opportunity to have a major impact on the electric vehicle industry is through fleet operators who utilize commercial vehicles in a depot-based delivery model,” said Bryan Hansel, chief executive officer SEV U.S. Corp. “As more truck fleets adopt this technology, it will drive advancements in battery technology, drive down manufacturing costs, and form the foundation of a U.S.-based supply chain that, over time will also significantly reduce the cost of commercial electric vehicles. This will make them a natural choice for fleet managers with a depot-based delivery model.”

Through The Tanfield Group Plc, SEV U.S. Corp is also working with Ford Motor Company to electrify the Ford Transit Connect as a BEV (battery electric vehicle) light-duty van scheduled for production in 2010.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development, said, “We are pleased to be collaborating with SEV U.S. Corp on the first of the battery electric vehicles we will bring to market over the next several years. With the delivery of the battery electric Transit Connect, together we will be delivering a product that will satisfy the needs of fleet customers interested in moving toward electric mobility solutions.”

SEV U.S. Corp’s first zero-emission truck model will be the Smith Newton – the world’s largest battery-electric-powered truck. It has a top speed of up to 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles and a payload of up to 16,280 lbs. With almost 0% engine noise, those aweful sound pollution from passing trucks may finally become is a way of the past! [Smith Electric Vehicles U.S.]

Ford Transit Connect Specifications:

Top Speed: 70 mph
Range/Charge: up to 100 miles
Payload: up to 1,600 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight: N/A
Motor: 50 kw induction motor
Battery Options: Lithium-Ion Iron Phosphate
Battery Charger: Installed
Full battery recharge: 6-8 hours
Download Spec Sheet

Smith Newton Truck Specifications:

Top Speed: 50 mph
Rrange/Charge: up to 100 miles
Payload: up to 16,280 lbs
Motor: 120 kw induction motor
Battery: Lithium-Ion Iron Phosphate
Gross Vehicle Weight: 16,535 lbs, 23,148 lbs or 26,455 lbs
Battery Charger: Installed
Full battery recharge: 6-8 hours
Download Spec Sheet