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Smith Electric Vehicles Appoints French Distributor

- Smith Electric Vehicles appoints ElecTruckCity in France
- Smith vehicles on display at Solutrans exhibition in Lyon
- First customer deliveries expected in 2nd half of 2010

LYON, France – Smith Electric Vehicles, the leading manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles, is expanding its European sales.

The UK-based manufacturer has appointed ElecTruckCity as the sole importer in France of its Smith Newton, the world's best-selling electric truck. ElecTruckCity will also be a distributor for the Smith Edison, a pure electric version of the Ford Transit van.

Smith Electric Vehicles announced the appointment today (02.03.10) at Solutrans, Europe's premiere transport and logistics exposition. ElecTruckCity is exhibiting both the Smith Newton and Smith Edison at the show.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "Michel and his team have the perfect combination of experience and reputation in the traditional commercial vehicle sector, along with a fantastic understanding of the electric vehicle market in France.

"Thanks to ElecTruckCity's extensive product support network, fleet operators in France can invest in our zero emission vehicles, safe in the knowledge that expert advice and support is close at hand."

Powered by leading edge lithium-ion batteries, Edison and Newton deliver a top speed of 50mph (80km/h) and a range of between 70 and 150 miles (112km-240km) on a full charge. The energy-efficient vehicles also recapture electricity whenever they slow or stop, through a process called regenerative braking.

Headquartered in southern Paris, ElecTruckCity is France's foremost commercial electric vehicle specialist. It was founded in 2009 by Frederic Deret, President of logistics company Deret Group, and Michel Albrand, former President of MAN France.

ElecTruckCity is rolling out a distribution network across 17major cities in France, including Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nice, Bordeaux and Marseilles. These centres will provide a highly trained, local presence to all customers, for sales, product support and vehicle maintenance.

Michel Albrand, CEO of ElecTruckCity, said: "Edison and Newton are proven, established vehicles that are in use with major fleets across the world. We have already received substantial interest in the Smith products and expect to make our first customer deliveries in the second half of 2010."

The French Government has developed substantial incentives to promote and support investment in electric commercial vehicles, with subsidies from EUR 5,000 for Smith Edison-size vans to € 20,000 for electric trucks like the Smith Newton.

French transport authorities estimate that freight transport accounts for around 15 per cent of vehicles movements and 50% of diesel consumption in French cities. Freight transport is responsible for 5% of urban CO2 emissions and a substantial amount of three health-impacting air pollutants; 65% of particulate matter (PM10), 37% of NOx and 45% of SO2.

Michel added: "Electric commercial vehicles will be visible on our streets before the electric car.

"This is happening now, because many urban vans and trucks already have defined operations in small geographic areas. And these densely populated city centres are precisely the areas that will benefit the most from zero emission commercial vehicles."

Solutrans takes place in the Eurexpo centre in Lyon from March 2nd – 6th. ElecTruckCity is exhibiting the Smith Edison and Smith Newton.

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