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April 11, 2008 Posted by: Lee Sibbald
Towards the end of 2008 the all-electric Ford Transit Connect van will become available within the UK. Smith Electric has been building electric vehicles for eighty years and has worked with Ford in developing a new range of electric commercial vehicles based on the Ford Transit range. The electric van costs twice as much as its diesel counterpart but Ford and Smith Electric believe that the electric option will prove more cost effective over a five year period.
The automatic gear lever offer stress free and enjoyable driving, the range of 100 miles between recharges is good and a maximum speed of seventy miles per hour should prove ample.
The potential of electric vans in the UK is huge. Rising fuel costs are leaving individuals and businesses looking for more cost effective and eco-friendly ways of getting from A-B.
Expect to see all-electric vans in towns and cities soon.
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Lee - what is the source of your story please?
I am a keen follower of progress in the uptake of electric vehicles - and would love to find that the new van about to be launched by Smith EV is indeed a Transit Connect model.
Do you know for a fact that the Transit Connect is involved? Or is this an educated assumption?
Cheers,
mtg
Comment by M.T.Glass — April 11, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
Hi mtg, I first read the story in The Sun (not a newspaper I like to admit having read…) It was mentioned in the edition on Friday the 11th of April, in the sun motors section. I tried to find the article on their website for you but it is not on there as of yet. It is definately Smith Electric that are invloved, the article says that the end of doorstep milk deliveries using milk floats led to Smith Electric having a rethink and developing electric commercial vehicles instead.
Comment by Lee — April 11, 2008 @ 2:44 pm
Thanks Lee. I don’t think any of my friends are Sun readers either, but I will try and find myself a copy.
There are five different makers of electric vans displaying their vehicles at the CV-2008 Show next week at the NEC.
http://www.cvshow.com - Smith (stand 12-640), Modec (11-309), Piaggio (12-220), Stevens (12-159) and NICE (12-460).
I know there’s a Smith Edison on show, in the colours of BT-Openreach. And Modec are offering an opportunity for visitors to drive their electric vans around outside. So I shall try and get there this year.
Thanks again.
mtg
Comment by M.T.Glass — April 11, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
Also working with the Transit and appearing at the CV show is Connaught Engineering. They are making mild hybrids for Tesco.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/04/10/connaught-engineering-to-hydridize-tesco-transits/
Comment by drivin98 — April 12, 2008 @ 5:07 am
Thanks Lee,
Very interesting indeed.
Do you know what system is inside ?
Thanks
Comment by John — April 12, 2008 @ 8:51 am
Hi John, the Connect is powered by a 50kw electric motor and a 20kw battery. It can be recharged at night by connecting a standard 240volt single-socket plug from the van’s normal fuel filler into your work depot or home electricity depot.
According to a recently conducted road test you turn the key and hear … nothing
Comment by Lee — April 14, 2008 @ 8:29 am
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