UK electricity company Western Power Distribution (WPD) has purchased two Smith Electric Vehicles Edison vans. The electricity distribution network operator has deployed electric vans in Plymouth and Cardiff.
| A WPD Edison van. Click to enlarge. |
If trials of the first two vehicles are successful, WPD will look at introducing more battery-powered vans into its fleet.
The Smith Edison panel van is a pure electric version of the Ford Transit that is driven by an electric motor and powered by lithium-ion batteries. Designed and built in the UK by Smith Electric Vehicles, Edison has a top speed of 50 mph and a range of up to 80 miles on a single battery charge. A full recharge takes six to eight hours.
Electric vans are ideal for our fleet, as a large proportion of our service and maintenance vehicles travel well under 100 miles a day.
—John Brooks, WPD Transport Manager