The Ohio Electric Drive Initiative will apply for funds available through the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program and Vehicle Electrification Projects. SEV-US plans to participate in similar funding programs in California, Missouri, New York and Texas.

We’re involved in this initiative to help our customers with fleet operations in Ohio take full advantage of the benefits the ARRA federal stimulus plan has to offer for the adoption of zero-emission all-electric commercial vehicles. With funding anticipated at 50 percent of the incremental vehicle purchase price, this program is key to making electric vehicles a viable option for fleet operators. We congratulate Clean Fuels Ohio for taking the lead in pulling together the resources needed for these funding applications.

—Bryan Hansel, CEO of SEV-US

SEV-US Corp will assemble all-electric commercial vehicles in Kansas City beginning in the third quarter of 2009. (Earlier post.) The company will initially focus its production on battery-electric-powered vehicles for depot-based predictable-route delivery fleets.

Through its US partner, The Tanfield Group Plc, SEV US Corp is also working with Ford Motor Company to electrify the Ford Transit Connect as a battery electric vehicle light-duty van scheduled for production in 2010. (Earlier post.) In addition to its partnership agreement with Ford on the Transit Connect, SEV-US will expand its zero-emission product line to include other van and light truck models based on demand.

SEV US Corp is a privately held company and is owned by US investors and The Tanfield Group Plc, based in the United Kingdom. Tanfield is the parent company of Smith Electric Vehicles.