Two Smith Electric Vehicle Edison vans have been taken on trial by UK electricity company Western Power Distribution (WPD) as it bids to drive down its fleet emissions.
The electricity distribution network operator plans to initially take two vehicles on trial, which will be deployed in Plymouth and Cardiff, and, depending on their success, will look at introducing more battery powered vans to its fleet.
According to John Brooks, WPD Transport Manager, the electric vans are ideal for the company’s fleet as a large proportion of its service and maintenance vehicles travel well under 100 miles a day.
The Smith Edison panel van is a pure electric version of the Ford Transit that is powered by lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor. It was designed and built in the UK by Smith Electric Vehicles with a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge, a top speed of 50mph, and a recharge time of six- to eight hours.
