Dear Reader

There is no better advert than an endorsement from your customer and at this year’s GreenFleet Capital Fuels Challenge, no less than five fleet operators chose Smith products to represent them in a hotly fought contest to find London’s greenest fleet.

The culmination of this search was the Transport for London Public & Private Sector Fleet Awards and I am delighted to announce that two of those organisations who entered with Smith Edison vehicles – The Royal Mail and BT Openreach - won the two most coveted accolades at this prestigious event!

Along with all the news and photos from their success at the TfL awards, this month I am also pleased to highlight two vehicles working in very different applications and environments, for Continental Landscapes and Babcock Airports.

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

Babcock Airports Takes Delivery of First Smith Edison

Babcock Airports has taken a pro-active stance when leasing and purchasing vehicles, to reduce harmful vehicle emissions and also reduce costs whenever possible.

Working with airport operator BAA to minimise emissions, the company has purchased its first Smith Edison van for use within the Connections and Baggage process and testing at Heathrow.

The company’s Inter-Terminal Operation at Heathrow has over a million vehicle movements per year and transports over 10 million bags around the airport annually.

The Smith Edison chassis cab can cost as little as £4.50 to charge and has a range of up to 100 miles at 50mph. This represents over 75 per cent savings on fuel costs, reduced maintenance costs and downtime. In addition there is no Road Fund License required for this type of vehicle.

With zero emissions, which means no nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide, the company hopes it can improve the health and quality of life of those working around Heathrow Airport, especially if they suffer from respiratory or cardiovascular illness.

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

Poole Plugs into Electric Vehicles with Continental Landscapes

Key public services in Poole are becoming cleaner and greener, thanks to the introduction of a Smith Edison.

Continental Landscapes Ltd carries out a wide range of landscaping and grounds maintenance work on behalf of Borough of Poole. In support of the borough's corporate priority to reduce Poole's carbon footprint, Continental have introduced their first Smith electric van.

The Smith Edison, a 100 per cent battery powered version of the Ford Transit, operates in the same manner as a conventional van, but with zero emissions.

Paul Rhys-Davies, HR and Fleet Manager at Continental Landscapes Ltd, said: "Deploying electric vehicles like the Smith Edison underlines our dedication to delivering services in the most efficient and environmentally responsible manner."

The Edison can be powered by conventional electricity from the National Grid and it will still deliver a saving of thousands of kilos of carbon dioxide emissions per year. Edison uses approximately 3.5p of electricity per mile and as a pure electric vehicle it qualifies for a free Road Fund Licence (tax disc).

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

Smith Electric Vehicles Win Both TfL Private and Public Sector Fleet Awards

Openreach, who entered with the Smith Edison, collect the Private Sector Award.

Royal Mail, who entered with the Smith Panel Van, collect the Public Sector Award.

Smith Electric Vehicles helped two major fleet operators scoop the Transport for London Private and Public Sector Fleet Awards held on 25th September.

Openreach, utilising it's Smith Edison, was triumphant in the Private Sector Fleet Category; and Royal Mail, utilising it's Smith Panel Van, won the Public Sector Fleet category.

Scoring was based on a measure of fuel efficiency of the vehicle and on the wider initiatives that the fleet operator had taken to improve their fleet’s emissions and efficiency.

Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles said "A win in both the private and public sector awards is a significant endorsement. This double accreditation proves the strength of Smith Electric Vehicles in the commercial vehicle market place."