Smith Electric Vehicles has made a name for itself by providing electric vehicles to corporations and government agencies. Instead of crowding into the passenger vehicle market, Smith has focused on vans, trucks and commercial equipment in a relatively untouched niche. This British company is pushing ahead with a duo of new products premiered at the recent CV Operator Show 2010 in Birmingham, England. The addition of an electric minibus and a boom lift will make the Smith Electric Vehicles line more dominant in the commercial EV market.
Smith’s all-electric minibus will allow transit authorities worldwide to reduce emissions and fuel costs. This 17-seat minibus features a 40kWh lithium-ion battery system located underneath the seating area. Smith projects a per-charge range of 80 miles with a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour. The minibus will be able to achieve full charge within eight hours using a standard outlet and four hours using the Smith fast-charging system. This product is already being marketed to large corporations, government agencies and amusement parks as vehicles for tours and short-range shuttle services.
Smith is combining its electric drive system and lithium-ion battery pack with a utility boom lift to accommodate utilities and local governments. This all-electric boom lift has the same load capacity as competing products but is run by a 40kWh lithium-ion battery. The Smith van is capable of traveling up to 80 miles per charge though frequent use of the lift will decrease this range by about 10%. This innovative product is intended for short routes by electrical companies, fire departments and parks departments.
These products have already received attention from customers in Essex County and Scottish & Southern Energy. The Essex County Council acquired the first Smith Electric Vehicles minibus before the show for its paratransit route. Scottish & Southern Energy will incorporate the all-electric boom lift into its maintenance routes starting this year. Smith Electric Vehicles continues to demonstrate its foresight in dealing with commercial EV customers who have few choices available. As Smith makes a mint making electric vehicles for cities and utilities, we should see new competitors entering into the market to take advantage of this high-value niche.
