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Smith Electric Vehicles Launches World's First High Performance 7.5t Electric Truck |
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Wednesday, 06 December 2006 |
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 Smith Electric Vehicles has unveiled the world's first high performance 7.5-tonne zero emission electric vehicle.
The Smith Newton is the first ever vehicle in its class that can compete with the diesel equivalent - but without the polluting effects of nitrogen oxide; particulate matter and CO2 emissions.
Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "Newton is beyond doubt the greenest 7.5 tonne commercial vehicle in the world, because it is the only truck that is truly zero emission.
"It is the perfect delivery vehicle for our urban centres, as it is practically silent and makes a positive contribution to air quality."
Smith has supplied the first two Newton vehicles to leading express, mail and logistics operator TNT. Both will operate in and around London.
TNT has indicated that it could require 400 Newton vehicles for the UK alone.
Peter Bakker, TNT CEO, said: "We are living in times of great change and the launch of this vehicle represents what TNT is striving for in the 21st Century - to be the cleanest, greenest express, mail and logistics company on the planet.
"Global warming is the biggest issue the world is facing today. As a transportation company TNT contributes to this problem. That is why we are constantly looking for ways in which to minimise our CO2 emissions. State-of-the-art electrical vehicles, like the Newton, are a very good alternative to vehicles using fossil fuel, especially in urban areas.
"We have every confidence in the technology and, if everything goes to plan it could well pave the way for many, many more similar vehicles for TNT throughout the world."
Smith is now in discussions with TNT over supplying vehicles to its fleets in several strategic urban locations across Europe.
The TNT Expresss vehicle will operate from the company's Barking depot, while the TNT Logistics model will be based at its Starbucks operation in Basildon, Essex.
Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, speaking at the launch of the Newton zero emissions vehicle at the Guildhall, London said: "I welcome TNT's commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and this initiative to begin moving away from carbon intensive transport.
"It is an interesting new development in alternatively-fuelled transport for the road-haulage sector and I hope to see it extended throughout the TNT fleet.
"The road transport sector is a major contributor to the UK's carbon emissions and I would encourage other manufacturers to look at alternative technologies to fossil fuels in order for the road transport sector to reduce its carbon footprint."
The Newton is powered by four large 278v batteries positioned on the underside of the truck that can propel the vehicle up to 50mph. Fully charged, the vehicle has a range of 130 miles. It can be re-charged on board or through domestic mains or a standard three-phase socket.
As well as being zero emission, the Newton's body panels are built from an ultra light, state-of-the-art fully recyclable composite material manufactured by Omnia. This substantially reduces body weight and increases the payload capacity of 4,000kg.
The decision to use the zero emission unit came after months of detailed research and analysis focusing on the environmental and cost benefits of the vehicle.
Tom Bell, Managing Director of TNT Express Services UK & Ireland, said: "This is a huge step forward for our fleet. Not only is this one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles on the market, there are also potential significant cost savings in the long-term.
"This vehicle is exempt from the London congestion charge - approximately £1,750 a year - incurs no road tax and is battery-driven. It costs just £25 a week to recharge the battery as opposed to £110 spent on fuel for a diesel vehicle."
Neil Crossthwaite, Managing Director, TNT Logistics, said: "We have allocated our first zero-emissions vehicle to the fleet we operate for Starbucks, a client which shares our commitment to minimising environmental impact wherever we can. I am sure that other clients will be keen to become involved at the end of the trial."
Smith Electric Vehicles is the world's largest manufacturer of road-going commercial electric vehicles.
Based in North East England, it is the market leader in new technology electric vans and trucks, manufacturing a full range of commercial battery-powered vehicles, from minibuses and vans through to large goods vehicles.
Darren Kell, Chief Executive of the AIM-listed Tanfield Group Plc, which owns Smith, said: "We are delighted to have supplied the world's first 7.5 tonne high performance electric vehicles to a client as prestigious as TNT and we are confident that the vehicles benefits, in terms of operating
cost, efficiency and environmental cleanliness, will pave the way for the adoption of the Newton in cities and urban centres worldwide.
"This project, a very typical application for the Newton, demonstrates the size of the huge, untapped potential for commercial electric vehicles across the globe and we are perfectly positioned as the market leader."
Phil Broad, Managing Director, Starbucks Coffee Company UK, said: "We are delighted to be working with TNT and Smiths to trial the new zero emissions vehicle for deliveries to our London stores. This initiative will help us to understand how we can further reduce our carbon footprint and adds to the work we have already undertaken in renewable energy procurement and reduction of energy consumption throughout the business." |
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