London Bus Operator Deploying Smith Electric Vans as Support Vehicles
13 October 2009
Bus operator Go-Ahead London has taken delivery of its first Smith electric Edison vans, following a successful month-long trial of the technology. The vans are used as support vehicles for roadside assistance and for distributing spare parts around Go-Ahead London’s locations in the capital.
We are committed to a cleaner, safer environment and to reducing our carbon footprint. The electric vans are simply another step towards this goal.
—John Trayner, Go-Ahead London’s managing director
Go-Ahead London, which already operates six hybrid diesel-electric buses, is to be the first bus company in London to operate electric support vehicles. The Smith Edison is a pure electric version of the Ford Transit van. Its lithium-ion batteries deliver top speed of 50 mph (80 km/h), a range of up to 100 miles (161 km) on a single charge and can be recharged from flat to full in 6-8 hours.
Separately, Smith Electric Vehicles US has begun assembly at a temporary facility at Kansas City International Airport.
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