Smith Electric launching new sales strategy, improved performance for commercial EVs

Smith Electric Vehicles Europe Ltd (Smith Electric) launched a new sales strategy, enhanced pricing and improved vehicle performance at the CV Show 2011. Smith Electric, which was acquired by Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp. (Smith US) on 1 January, is shifting the focus of its EV manufacturing and sales to a select group of leading UK commercial fleet operators.

Fleet managers already recognize that commercial EVs are much cheaper to run and maintain than diesel vehicles. However, the higher capital cost of EVs currently defers the fleet managers’ ability to realize these benefits and, in some cases, can be a barrier to EV adoption.

As a result of our combination with Smith US, we are able to offer our customers electric trucks, vans and minibuses that combine lower up-front capital costs with our vehicles’ existing low operating costs. This combination delivers real cost savings compared to their existing diesel vehicles, plus all of the environmental benefits of switching to EVs.

—Geoff Allison, Managing Director of Smith Electric

Smith Electric also has improved the payload capabilities of its Edison range of light commercial vehicles, which are built on the Ford Transit chassis. Gross payloads have increased by an average of 150 kg on chassis cabs and in excess of 250 kg on panel vans, compared to prior models. Newton chassis cabs already provide payloads of 2,753 kg - 7,508 kg.

These increases provide up to 15% extra payload on a chassis cab on average and 35% more carrying capacity in a panel van, Allison noted.

Smith Electric designs electric vehicles for depot-based, predictable route, multi-drop applications.

The Edison is the UK’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle. It has a top speed of 50 mph, range of up to 110 miles (177 km) on a single charge and the battery can be fully recharged in as little as four hours. Edison is available as a chassis cab, minibus and panel van, in 24 configurations.

The Newton is the UK market-leading all electric truck and is available in 16 different wheelbase, GVW and battery configurations. It has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of up to 150 miles (241 km) on a single charge.

Source: Green Car Congress