European push by Smith Electric

Date: Friday, September 28, 2007

TNT has acquired two left-hand drive battery-powered vehicles from Smith Electric Vehicles for use in the Netherlands. They are both going on trial in Rotterdam with a view to using Smith products more widely across Europe if the experiment is a success.

Using a Ford Transit body, the Edison 3.5-tonner will operate in and around the city centre, collecting and delivering documents and small parcels and making an average of 40 stops daily. The Newton 9.0-tonner (pictured) will operate in the same area making 15 to 20 stops a day.

Their batteries will be charged with electricity from a 100 per cent renewable source to reduce their carbon footprint.

Click here for more information on the Edison.

What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide