Dear Reader

This month we bring you exciting details of Smiths manufacture of the world's first all-electric, high performance taxi cab. Courier company CitySprint announce the addition of the Smith Edison to their London fleet and we give you a sneak preview of the Faraday mark II, set for launch in America later this year.

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

Regards,
Darren Kell, Chief Executive, Smith Electric Vehicles

SMITH TO PRODUCE FIRST BATTERY POWERED, ZERO EMISSION URBAN TAXI CAB

Smith has signed an agreement with LTI Vehicles Ltd (LTI), to produce the world's first battery powered, zero emission urban taxi cab.

Under the agreement, LTI and Smith will produce an all-electric version of LTI's TX4 black cab, branded the TX4E. Preliminary specifications for the vehicle are a top speed of 50mph and a range in excess of 100 miles on one battery charge.

The TX4E will contain all the conventional features of the TX4, but will be powered by Smith's advanced electric drive train and Lithium-Ion Iron Phosphate battery pack. It will be manufactured in the UK for the domestic urban taxi market and sold through LTI's distribution network.

Based on current electricity prices, the vehicle will cost less than 4p per mile to run, therefore providing significant whole life cost savings over an equivalent diesel vehicle.

We believe that this partnership will create a unique and highly marketable zero emissions vehicle and see the TX4E as an exciting growth opportunity that gives us first mover status in what is potentially a very large global marketplace.

Read more about the Smith range at  www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.

COURIER COMPANY CITYSPRINT ADDS SMITH EDISON TO ITS LONDON FLEET

After satisfactory road testing, CitySprint has added the Edison electric van to it's fleet.

CitySprint based their decision on the financial gains as well as the environmental benefits. The results of their trials concluded that the cost of the Smith Edison would be offset by potential cost savings in fuel and maintenance.

The Smith Edison electric van is made more commercially viable still by its status as a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) free vehicle and its exemption from London’s congestion charging.

Am Pall, CitySprint’s Fleet & Specialist Services Director, said: "Being as green, practical and cost effective as it is, adding the Smith Edison Electric Van to our range of environmentally-friendly vehicles became an easy decision. We are certain that our clients will be pleased with this additional green option."

Commenting on the driving experience, Am continued: "The electric van is a superb drive; smooth, surprisingly quick and, with no need to change gears and without the noise, rattle and emissions of a typical diesel, very courier friendly."

CitySprint aims to increase the number of environmentally friendly vehicles in its fleet by 30% in 2008. CitySprint's environmental programme has been accredited with the internationally recognised ISO14001:2004, a voluntary initiative aimed at improving environmental performance. CitySprint received considerable industry praise in 2007 winning the 2007 IFW Environment Award, the Transport for London 'Capital Fleet of the Year' award at the 2007 GreenFleet Awards and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) award at the 2007 UK Mail Awards.

Read more about the Smith Edison at  www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.

SMITH PLUGS IN AMERICA TO ELECTRIC TRUCKS

Smith has announced a new pure electric truck for North America that will go into production later this year.

This is part of a new collaboration with Ford, whereby Smith are working with Ford on the future development of commercial electric vehicles for Europe and North America.

In the USA, Ford will supply Smith with a range of its Ford F-Series commercial vehicles as the chassis for Smith's US-specific vehicles.

The first of these vehicles is the Faraday mark II, built using the Ford F650 chassis cab, with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 13,000kg.

The vehicle is expected to have similar specifications to the Smith Newton pure electric truck that is sold in the UK and Europe. Newton is available in GVWs from 7,500kg to 12,000kg and has a top speed of 50mph, with a range in excess of 100 miles on one battery charge.

We expect to commence US manufacture of the first of this product in the second half of 2008.

Read more about the Smith range at  www.SmithElectricVehicles.com.