The big news on the Smith Electric Vehicles stand was the Ampere. Based on the Ford Transit Connect and employing lithium-ion iron phosphate batteries, it offers a payload of up to 800kg and a range in excess of 100 miles. Top speed is 70mph. The 24kWh battery pack powers a 50kW electric motor.
With biodiesel increasingly accused of being responsible for rising food prices and causing environmental damage, more and more manufacturers are promoting exhaust emission-free electric vans as allegedly the best option for anybody worried about climate change.