Dear Reader

This month I am delighted to announce that Smith has made the shortlist for the UK Government’s new low carbon van initiative. The scheme, funded by the Department for Transport and operated by CENEX, aims to improve 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. Further details are given below.

We also bring you news of Carillion Fleet Management, which has delivered the first electric vehicle, our Smith Edison, into the fleet of leading office supplies company Office2Office.

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

Smith Electric Vehicles Shortlisted for £50M Programme

Royal Mail, already a Smith customer, is one of the key public sector bodies taking part in the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme.

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

The scheme, funded by the Department for Transport and operated by CENEX, aims to accelerate sales of electric and low carbon vans – Smith is one of a select number of manufacturers shortlisted for the programme.

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.

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....we want to use our spending power to lead the way in developing lower carbon options that will appeal across the board."

The Government will officially 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.

Smith vehicles already provide substantial savings on running costs and maintenance budgets, but clearly we welcome any additional funding for our customers! I will bring you further details once the Governmnent announces the final list of approved suppliers next year.

Smith Electric Vehicles already supplies vans and trucks into local authorities, public sector bodies and contractors working on behalf of the public sector. For further details on how our vehicles can add value to your operations in the public sector environment, please contact Sylvia Bryden (email sylvia.bryden@smithelectricvehicles.com, phone +44 (0) 191 461 6845).

Carillion Contract Hires Smith Edison Electric Vehicle to Office2Office

Carillion Fleet Management has supplied the first electric vehicle on contract hire to its customer - leading office supplies company Office2Office.

Office2Office has opted to use the Smith Edison electric van at its Beckton depot, London for deliveries of office products to customers in and around the city.

Mike Weston, Office2Office Operations Director said: "We are working with Carillion to reduce our carbon vehicle footprint and the Smith Edison is a very cost-effective way of achieving CO2 reductions."

The Edison Transit is 100% battery powered and designed for urban operations, where it can significantly improve city air quality and reduce CO2 emissions. It has a restricted top speed of 50mph, with a range of 80 miles on a single charge.

Smith estimates that day to day running costs are around 3p per mile, while the maintenance-free drive line means maintenance is reduced to standard low cost items such as lights, brakes and tyres. Exempt from the London Congestion Charge, the Edison is also zero rated on road fund licence.

Read more about the Smith Edison here: www.SmithElectricVehicles.com