TONY Blair has put his faith in the future of zero-emission vehicles during a visit to an electric vehicle manufacturer.

The prime minister opened the new global headquarters of the Tanfield Group, owner of Smith Electric Vehicles, based in Tyne and Wear, last week.

Blair said: ‘In the years to come, this operation is absolutely where the future will be.’

The company also unveiled its Smith Newton, the most powerful zero-emission truck yet. Marks & Spencer has announced it will take delivery of one of the 7.5-tonne vehicles.

Tanfield bosses said they will expand the range of zero-emission vehicles this year to include an all-electric van.

The company was founded in 1996 by its present chairman Roy Stanley as a sub-contract engineering company.

Darren Kell, chief executive of the Tanfield Group, said: ‘During his visit, the prime minister made it clear to us, both publicly and privately, that he is incredibly supportive of our business model. He recognises the truly global opportunity for us as the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial zero-emission vehicles.’