StevesPlace: Smith Electric Vehicles Newsletter June 2008

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June 2008

Dear Reader

Darren Kell, Chief Executive, Smith Electric Vehicles Have you entered the Energy Saving Trust Fleet Hero Awards? This is a great opportunity to showcase your green credentials and be rewarded for all your hard work! Details are below.

We also bring you news of another two high profile customers who have switched on to the benefits of Smith Electric Vehicles: Sky and TK Maxx.

Remember, if you are thinking about converting your fleet to electric, you can find out more at our website at www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.

Darren Kell, Chief Executive, Smith Electric Vehicles

ARE YOU A GREEN FLEET HERO?

The deadline is looming for the Energy Saving Trust’s Fleet Hero Awards. The high profile awards recognise organisations that have implemented solutions to help reduce carbon emissions from business travel.

Last year, Sainsbury’s Online bagged one of the awards for its deployment of the Smith Edison in its home shopping delivery fleet. Awards will be issued across 10 categories covering issues such as business mileage, grey fleet, smarter driving and green procurement. There will also be awards for innovation, leadership, industry suppliers and the best small, medium and large fleet.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the London Transport Museum on Tuesday 14th October and the winning organisations will also be profiled in a special supplement in the Guardian, The Observer and Fleet News!

The application deadline for round 1 is Friday 27 June. Further information and an online competition form can be accessed at www.guardian.co.uk/fleetheroes2008.

The Smith Electric Vehicles team would be delighted to help with your application – please contact Dan Jenkins, Media Relations Manager, on 0191 461 6842 or email dan.jenkins@smithelectricvehicles.com.

SKY GOES ELECTRIC WITH THE SMITH EDISON PANEL VAN

Sky customers in the Greater London area who receive a visit from Sky engineer Michael Moir will see him arrive in a Smith Edison zero emission electric panel van. The van is being trialed by Sky as part of its award winning carbon neutral program.

The van has a range of 100 miles before it needs to be recharged and can travel at up to 50mph. The van can also power itself while on the road thanks to its regenerative brakes which reduce the vehicle’s speed by converting and storing some of its kinetic energy in the van's batteries for later use.

The van's battery will be re-charged by connecting it to the mains electricity at Michael's home, which has been switched to a zero carbon electricity plan.

Michael said: "Most people come home from work and plug the kettle in, but I'll be getting my van plugged in and charged up for my next day’s shift. I am really excited to be the first Sky engineer to take part in this trial and am looking forward to putting the vehicle through its paces. It's good to know that every day I will be doing something positive for the environment."

Euan Smith, Sky's Supply Chain Director said: "If this trial is successful, we hope to convert more of our vans to electric vehicles in the future."

Read more about the Edison here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com

TK MAXX DELIVERS IN STYLE WITH THE SMITH NEWTON

In partnership with DHL Exel Supply Chain, TK Maxx is integrating the Smith 10 tonne Newton into its London fleet.

The Smith Newton for TK Maxx is the largest zero emission commercial delivery truck on Britain's roads. The aerodynamic truck and body means it also has the longest range of any commercial electric vehicle in the UK.

Simon Barker, Vice President, Logistics at TK Maxx said: "The introduction of our first electric vehicle into the TK Maxx fleet is a significant milestone for us. It confirms our intent to take real responsibility for our role within global climate change issues. We continue to invest in and drive for innovative solutions to reduce our C02 emissions and are excited about the potential this has for our fleet."

The 10 tonne Smith Newton vehicle provides the largest carrying capacity for an electric truck in the UK, with a body length of 7.5 metres and a cargo payload of over 4,000 kg - the truck will hold 21 Euro pallets of goods. The vehicle has a top speed of 50 mph, and after it has been fully charged over a 6-8 hour period, it has a range of up to 200 km which is further than any other commercial electric vehicle on the UK roads.

Read more about the Newton here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com