Smith Electric Vehicles Delivers New Electric Truck to FedEx
Smith Electric Vehicles has a new one — the global leader in pure electric commercial vehicles presented its newest project this week, the Newton Step Van. The all-electric zero-emission (of course) truck is based on the company’s Newton Platform with a walk-in body.
It’s a Delivery Van, but Better
The Newton Step Van is full of Smith’s proprietary technology, including its drive, power, and link technologies (titled somewhat unimaginatively as Smith Drive, Smith Power, and Smith Link), which the company believes delivers superior performance from not only the power train but in managing the battery and even system monitoring.
The electric truck itself will range in weight from 14,000 to 26,000 pounds and carries enough battery power to take it on a 100-mile trip per charge. Smith is drawing on its 8 decades of market experience (in the U.K.) to overcome the range difficulties of electric vehicles, and it’s not doing poorly.
Of Course FedEx Will Drive It
The first batch of Newton Step Vans in the United States has been snapped up by none other than FedEx, which has been using all sorts of EVs in recent months. Smith’s CEO and chairman, Bryan Hansel, praised FedEx’s dedication to electric vehicles, as he well might (FedEx’s business directly benefits his company, after all):
“The leadership shown by FedEx in adopting all-electric vehicles has been instrumental to growing the industry. We welcome FedEx and look forward to successful vehicle deployments that demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits of fleet electrification.”
FedEx itself proclaims Smith to be an ideal partner in its quest to reduce emissions, help the environment, and generate positive press along the way. Vice president of Global Vehicles at FedEx Express Dennis Beal made a statement regarding the new fleet:
“This opportunity helps support our goal to optimize and operate our vehicle fleet in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. Smith’s global footprint and track record of successful EV deployments make it an ideal collaborator as FedEx continues to improve its fleet efficiency, reducing emissions while providing the best possible service to our customers around the world.”
Are FedEx and Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. headed in the right direction? You tell me, in the comments below.
Source | Image: Smith Electric Vehicles
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