Dear Reader

Interest in our world leading commercial electric vehicles continues to grow.

Business leaders, fleet managers and key decision makers from more than 150 private and public sector organisations have experienced our vehicles in recent weeks - and as usual the feedback was superb.

We also received a great deal of praise for our concept electric people carrier, the Ford Tourneo Connect BEV, which we loaned to Ford Espana for the motor show in Barcelona.

Finally, our distributor in Ireland has imported its first Smith Newton; a delivery vehicle for a family-run building supplies retailer in Dublin.

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

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director, Smith Electric Vehicles

BUSINESS LEADERS BEHIND THE WHEEL

The Transport team from Gateshead Council at the Smith ride n drive.

A group of North-East business leaders experienced Smith vehicles first-hand as part of a national event led by HRH The Prince of Wales. The Prince's May Day Network, which is run by Business in the Community (BITC), is the UK's largest group of businesses committed to taking action on climate change. To date, over 1,000 businesses of all sizes and from all sectors have signed-up, and collectively they promise to play a powerful role in reducing the UK’s carbon emissions.

The Network came together on May 1st to report back on progress through a series of simultaneous events across the country, with a hub event led by His Royal Highness in central London. A short film highlighting the work of Smith Electric Vehicles was broadcast nationally during the event while it was also watched by Prince Charles and his guests from FTSE 100 companies.

BITC brought over 20 company directors and senior managers to Smith, so they could experience our electric vehicles and understand the scale of our production facility operations.

The ride n drive included the Smith Newton truck, Smith Edison van and the concept vehicle we recently unveiled with Ford of Europe, the Tourneo Connect BEV, a 7 seat people-carrier.

BITC's regional director for the North East, Karen Wilkinson-Bell said: "This year, we wanted to challenge business leaders to look not only at the challenges that climate change presents, but also at the solutions - and the opportunities that there are for businesses.

"Here in the North East, we are already seeing the development of world leading technologies that will help combat climate change and investment in the infrastructure needed to exploit those technologies."

The BITC event followed a ride 'n' drive for fleet managers and other decision-makers from across the public and private sector in North East England.

The feedback from both events was extremely positive and I hope to bring you an update soon!

GRANGE GOES GREEN WITH IRELAND'S LARGEST ELECTRIC TRUCK

The first Smith Newton in operation in Dublin, for Grange Builders Providers.

Smith Electric Vehicles has delivered the first battery-electric truck into Ireland.

Leading building materials retailer Grange Builders Providers, of Baldoyle, Dublin, has purchased a Smith Newton truck for deliveries of building and DIY products. The 10 tonne truck is the largest pure electric vehicle on the road in Ireland.

Peter Cosgrave, Managing Director of Grange Builders Providers, said: "Grange is delighted to be the first company in Ireland to deploy the Smith Newton and we are proud to own the biggest road-going electric vehicle in the country.

"Grange is a forward-looking company and one that always responds to customer demand. With Newton, we can deliver goods to our customers in an environmentally responsible manner, without compromising our high quality service."

Designed for city and town centre use, the Smith Newton is powered by 80 kilowatt-hours of the latest Lithium-Ion batteries and a 120kilowatt electric motor. This provides a top speed of 50mph (80kph) and a range of 100 miles (160km) on one battery charge. The regenerative braking system returns power back to the batteries every time the vehicle slows and also helps to reduce wear and tear on the conventional brakes.

Following the launch of new Government incentives in Ireland, any company buying the Smith Newton can write down 100% of the cost against Corporation Tax, in the first year of purchase.

Grange Builders Providers purchased its battery-powered truck from Electric Vehicles Ireland, the full service dealer for Smith Electric Vehicles in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Based in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, Electric Vehicles Ireland sells the full range of Smith commercial electric vehicles and also provides product support and spare parts.

For further details, contact Electric Vehicles Ireland on +353 57 9361488 or email info@aviatrucks.ie.