Visitors to LCV2009 had the first opportunity to test drive our new seven-seat electric people carriers. We also unveiled a new electric executive minibus.
Kevin Harkin, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, said: “These two vehicles demonstrate how easily we can translate our EV technology for moving goods into EVs that move people.”
The zero emission Smith Ampere people carrier is an eight seat passenger vehicle with a projected range of 100 miles (160km) on a full battery charge and a top speed of 70mph (113km/h).
The Smith Ampere people carrier and Smith Edison on display at LCV2009
Smith Electric Vehicles has produced commercial EVs for over 80 years and is Ford’s official collaborator on commercial EVs in Europe and North America. The two companies launched the people carrier as a concept vehicle at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. However, LCV2009 was the first opportunity for potential customers to experience the vehicle in motion, on the test track at Millbrook Proving Grounds.
The new all electric 8-seater executive minibus for Green Urban Transport – the first prototype will be used for trials in London, including a premium door-to-door shuttle service for a major retailer
Smith also unveiled a new eight-seat battery electric minibus that will go into service with a major London retailer. It has a top speed of 50mph and a range of up to 80 miles on a full charge.
Working with new company Green Urban Transport, Smith has developed the unique executive minibus based on its Smith Edison electric van, which uses the Ford Transit chassis. Green Urban Transport will deploy the first prototype vehicle on trials with a number of companies, including offering a premium door-to-door shuttle service for customers of a major retailer in West London.
Green Urban Transport will offer a luxurious executive shuttle service across London
Andy MacLachlan, CEO of Green Urban Transport said: “This is a world-first for electric vehicles, in an area where we see substantial growth opportunities.
“Our passenger transport model offers clean, environmentally friendly travel solutions that will suit a broad spectrum of applications and companies.”
The two new vehicles were on display alongside the full range of Smith’s electric vans and trucks, which is the largest range of commercial electric vehicles in the world.
The Smith Ampere is a light van based on the Ford Transit Connect chassis and the Smith Edison is based on the Ford Transit chassis. Both are produced in collaboration with Ford of Europe. The Smith Newton is the world’s largest road-going electric truck, with kerb weights of 7,500kg, 10,000kg and 12,000kg.
Edison and Newton have a proven range in urban operations of 100 miles and a top speed of 50mph. Ampere has a top speed of 70mph and a range of 100 miles on a full charge
