A surge in sales of electric vans is being predicted as a new post-election government brings in more and more environmental legislation.
Order books at Smith Electric Vehicles, which converts Ford Transit and Transit Connect to make the Edison and Ampere, are already at a record high and the manufacturer believes sales will continue to rise.
Speaking at the CV Operator Show at the NEC, Kevin Harkin, Smith EV sales director, said: ‘After the election there will be lots more legislation, more exclusion zones and more low emission areas. All this will prompt more and more van fleets to look at electric vehicles.’
Harkin said that if sales increased, prices could well come down as parts were ordered in bigger bulk.
“We are now getting fleets coming back and ordering vehicles for a second time, while others are deciding to ‘double-life’ them up to 10 years because they have been so reliable.”
However, he was critical of the amount of support that the Government currently gives for electric LCVs, pointing out that in France, grants of up to E20,000 were available The result is that this year he expects some 70% of Smith’s vehicles to be exported.
Smith has also launched two new vehicles. Based on the Ford Transit chassis, the Smith Edison minibus has a top speed of 50mph and a range of up to 80 miles. Smith Electric Vehicles also launched a van-mounted aerial work platform.
Author: Trevor Gelken
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