Dear Reader

Another packed newsletter this month, filled with good news guaranteed to bring you festive cheer!

Here in the UK, the Government has just announced major tax breaks for companies that purchase electric vans. These tax incentives should come into play in April 2010, which is great news for all businesses that are looking to green their commercial vehicle fleets.

We fought long and hard for this tax incentive, making the case in personal meetings with Cabinet Ministers including the Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson and the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. I am delighted and proud of this achievement and we hope it helps you all make the switch to electric vans and trucks.

One company that is already leading the way is Sainsbury's, which is ordering an additional 50 Smith Edison vans for its London home shopping delivery service. Once these vans are in service, Sainsbury's will have the biggest fleet of electric vans in the world!

Another pioneering company is John Lewis, which has just launched a unique "business class" shuttle service for shoppers visiting its Oxford Street store in London. The bus is built on a Smith Edison electric van chassis, enhanced with some truly innovative design work on the body and interior by the service operator, Green Urban Transport Sustainable initiative (GUTSi).

On behalf of the entire team at Smith Electric Vehicles, I send you season's greetings and best wishes for 2010. See you in the New Year!

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

Best regards

Kevin Harkin,
Sales Director,
Smith Electric Vehicles

SAINSBURY'S TO LAUNCH WORLD'S LARGEST FLEET OF ELECTRIC VANS

Smith Edison for Sainsbury's Online

The vans will be deployed in the London area, meaning 60 per cent of central Londoners will have their groceries delivered in one of these environmentally responsible vehicles.

Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury's commercial director, said: "We are absolutely committed to using zero emissions vehicles where possible as they help keep inner city air clean. Also, the electricity used to power them generates around 50 per cent less CO2 than diesel vans.

"This means that the addition of the new vans will reduce our road transport emissions by around 155 tonnes of CO2 each year."

The 3.5 tonne vans will be based at ten of Sainsbury's London stores and are due to hit the road from September. The vans have been modified to meet Sainsbury's specific requirements for its urban online deliveries. Each vehicle is restricted to 40mph and can comfortably achieve the required range of 60 miles per day. The vans are also fitted with a fast charging system.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I am determined to put London at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution as they become a mainstream choice.

"This is cracking news from Sainsbury's which will help deliver to Londoners not only their groceries, but all the benefits of going electric such as cleaner air and fewer carbon emissions. It shows that a commitment to this technology, even in leaner times, is good for businesses and great for our environment."

SMITH WELCOMES UK TAX BREAKS FOR ELECTRIC VANS

Smith Electric Vehicles is celebrating, after leading a successful campaign to win UK tax breaks for electric vans.

The Chancellor Alistair Darling, in his Pre-Budget Report, announced a 100% capital allowance for companies purchasing electric vans. This means fleet operators can write down the entire cost of buying an electric van in the first year of ownership.

Electric vans cost much less to run than diesel vehicles, but at present are up to three times more expensive. The tax incentive will help to bridge this cost gap and boost sales, which in turn will drive volume production and lower the cost of electric vans.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: "This welcome tax incentive will make electric vans much more appealing to fleet operators across the UK, as it removes a cost barrier to purchasing these new technology vehicles.

"The UK already produces the best electric vans in the world; now we also have the opportunity as a nation to lead the way in buying and using these environmentally-friendly vehicles.

"Today's announcement marks the successful conclusion to a long campaign by Smith Electric Vehicles to win capital allowances for electric vans. We have made representations at the very highest level of Government, so we are delighted that Government has listened and acted to support us."

JOHN LEWIS LAUNCHES ELECTRIC MINIBUS

Noel Saunders, managing director of John Lewis Oxford Street, with the GUTSi Minibus

This Christmas, John Lewis Oxford Street will be the first retailer to offer shoppers an environmentally sustainable way to travel to the West End.

The department store is introducing an electrically-powered, nine-seat "business class" customer shuttle bus. The service, which is operated by Green Urban Transport Sustainable initiative (GUTSi), will provide shoppers with a green alternative to driving their cars into central London.

John Lewis shoppers can now travel in style to the Oxford Street store in the all-electric luxury GUTSi minibus

Noel Saunders, managing director of John Lewis Oxford Street, said: "We're proud to be leading the way by offering our customers and the 40 million shoppers expected to visit the West End over the festive season an environmentally-friendly and luxury way to travel."

The unique GUTSi vehicle is based on the Smith Edison chassis, which is manufactured by Smith Electric Vehicles.

GUTSi has designed its minibus body with high quality, recycled materials and it is fitted with leather seats, wi-fi and laptops.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: "It is fantastic that shoppers will be able to travel in style this Christmas in a super, clean and green electric shuttle bus. I am a huge fan of electric vehicles which have no fumes belching out of their exhaust pipes and I want to make these eco-friendly, fuel bill-busting vehicles an easier choice for motorists in London."

John Lewis will be the only department store to host the GUTSi shuttle and there are plans to expand the service to all John Lewis London branches, with 20 vehicles expected to be operating across the capital in 2010.

Andy MacLachlan, founder and chief executive of GUTSi said: "GUTSi is an innovative and sustainable transport solutions company, which uses the most advanced low carbon electric vehicle technology, reflecting the latest in cutting edge, eco-friendly automotive design."

Mark Field, MP for Cities of London & Westminster said: "Having experienced the GUTSi service I believe it will be an asset to London, offering an attractive sustainable alternative. It was extremely comfortable, quiet and quick and represents a very clever step towards making London a greener, cleaner city for all."

For more information on the GUTSi service for John Lewis and its timetable, please visit www.gogutsi.com.