Smith Electric Vehicles

News

Smith Electric Vehicles Shortlisted for £50M Programme

Smith Electric Vehicles has been shortlisted for the Government’s new low carbon van initiative.

Smith is one of a select group of van manufacturers to succeed in reaching the second stage of the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme. The scheme, funded by the Department for Transport and operated by CENEX, aims to jump-start sales of electric and low carbon vans.

The programme offers an initial £20m pot to pay the difference between a conventional diesel van and the electric or low carbon equivalent, as an incentive for public sector organisations to purchase greener vehicles.

The Government will unveil the list of successful suppliers within a few months. Funding will commence next year and run until 2011, with a further £30m promised if the initial phase is a success.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "We welcome any initiative to support the uptake of commercial electric vehicles in the public sector.

"However, all Smith vehicles are sold on their own merits and it is pleasing to know that public sector bodies are already buying and operating our vans, regardless of this commendable subsidy programme."

The public sector bodies taking part in the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme are:

• Environment Agency
• HM Revenue & Customs
• Metropolitan Police
• Transport for London
• Royal Mail
• Government Car & Despatch Agency (GCDA)

CENEX has also announced that five local authority partnerships are to join the first phase of the procurement programme:

• Newcastle & Gateshead Consortium
• Glasgow City Council
• Leeds City Council
• Liverpool City Council
• Coventry Low Carbon Fleet Partnership

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "Vans make up around 15% of road transport emissions in the UK, and their emissions are rising more than any other mode of road transport.

"That's why we are committed to this new programme to help kick-start the market. In the public sector there is considerable demand for vans, so we want to use our spending power to lead the way in developing lower carbon options that will appeal across the board."

If you would like further information, or would like to take advantage of the subsidy scheme, please contact Sylvia Bryden (email sylvia.bryden@smithelectricvehicles.com, phone +44 (0) 191 461 6845) for details.

Back to News Index

News & Events