Smith, the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial electric vehicles is launching a zero emission truck in the North American market.
The Newton is the first vehicle in its class that can compete with the diesel equivalent – but without the polluting effects of tailpipe emissions such as nitrogen oxide; particulate matter and CO2.
The Smith Newton, earlier post, is the world's largest high performance electric truck, weighing in with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of over 24,000lbs. A bank of four suitcase-sized, “Zebra” 278v Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries and a 120 kilowatt motor quickly propel the vehicle up to its top speed of 50mph. The Newton can accelerate from 0-30mph faster than the equivalent diesel-powered truck. It is equipped with regenerative braking and has a range of 150 miles.
The Newton’s body panels are built from an ultra light, state-of-the-art fully recyclable composite material manufactured by Omnia. The panels, are a plastic honeycomb material said to weigh around 65% of GRP of the equivalent strength. This substantially reduces body weight and increases the payload capacity by as much as 7480lb. The vehicle has a payload capacity of up to 15,800lbs and is available in US truck Classes 5 through 7.
The Newton is the first vehicle in its class that can compete with the diesel equivalent – but without the polluting effects of tailpipe emissions such as nitrogen oxide; particulate matter and CO2.
Kevin Harkins, Sales Director for Smith Electric Vehicles, stated that although automobile manufactures believe that battery technology for mass-produced electric cars is some years away, Smith believes that for larger sized commercial vehicles the technology available today is perfectly suited.
Smith Electric already has a 70,000sq ft facility in Fresno, CA, which has the capacity to produce 1,000 vehicles next year. It plans on establishing a major production facilIty in the U.S. with the capacity to produce up to 10,000 electicric vehicles per year by 2010.
It has a 250,000sq ft facility in the UK which has the capacity for 1,500 vehicles in 2008, but the company is also looking for a larger UK base to take this up to 5,000 vehicles per annum, for the UK and Europe.
Smith launched its 2nd generation electric vehicles, Edison and Newton, earlier this year and is on course to ship 250 units in 2007. Customers already signed up in the UK include DHL, Starbucks, the Royal Mail, TK Maxx, and CEVA Logistics, plus many household names yet to be announced.
Excellent news! Company website is http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com
Smith EV is part of a Tanfield Group whose biggest division is the world's fourth biggest maker of powered access platforms, under the UpRight and Snorkel brands, many of which are produced in the US. Many of those are electric too. The share price of Tanfield (London ticker TAN) has climbed sevenfold in the past year.
On the EV front they are pressing ahead where others find excuses not to.
Posted by: Bob Uppendown | December 05, 2007 at 03:10 AM
The batteries in this thing are hot (250 C, I think) and contain liquid sodium and liquid sodium aluminum fluoride. Not bad in an application where they can be kept warm constantly, as in regularly scheduled delivery services. They will have to be kept plugged in when not in use to keep the batteries from getting too cold (restoring them after a freeze could take a few days, if I understand correctly).
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Posted by: magdyno | December 27, 2007 at 08:26 AM
It is not JUST a battery.
Should take entire drive train system into consideration.
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Posted by: Jerry | December 27, 2007 at 08:30 AM
The Betard web site is dead today, but the google cache has a paper from 2003 on the Zebra batteries, where they calculate high-volume cost of $100/kWh (assuming $18 for 1.5kg Ni, now ~$40). That's really cheap compared to the $2000/kWh for an A123 plug-in Prius battery, and cheap compared to the target price of $500/kWh for next generation Li batteries.
The only problem is energy density-- 160W/kg, vs 1300W/kg for NiMh or LiFePO4, so you need lots of battery to get the needed power. The Smith truck batteries must be about 800kg for the 4 modules. If they could make them for ~$100/kWh, then the battery cost would be <$10K-- not bad at all.
At $100-150/kWh, it's cost effective for utility power storage.
It takes several days to freeze, not to thaw, and the batteries can take many freeze/thaw cycles.
Doing some calculations, it should take 1-2kWh to thaw a 20kWh battery (4 needed). I guess if you had to jump start it with another truck, it should only take a few minutes with some pretty hefty cables (battery power is 32kW/module). However, I just came across a data sheet that says 24h heating time-- I don't know what this means.
I saw a quote that it takes 90W/module to maintain the core temperature in the zebra battery, though it seems that adding extra insulation could cut this down. 10cm of insulation would be 10-100W for the 300 deg temperature difference.
Supposedly 4-6%/day loss of charge would occur to heat the core when not in use, so it could be parked for a couple of weeks. Charging creates enough extra heat to melt the core.
Supposedly, extra heat can be used to warm the vehicle.
I don't see much research going on in the US on these batteries.
Posted by: Carl Hage | February 28, 2008 at 05:03 PM
dear
I'M FROM SPANISH . I WHISH TO KNOW IF IT'S POSIBLE MAKE A POWER ELECTRIC FOR THE HEAVY TRUCK OF 40 TM. THE PETROL'S PRICE VERY EXPENSIVE FROM EUROPE
THANKS FOR YOUR ANSWER
BYE
Posted by: david | April 19, 2008 at 04:44 AM
This is an eye-catching article! This is great.! There are lots of inventions now that helps the people and this is one of the interesting one.
Posted by: Payday Loan Advocate | September 17, 2008 at 04:31 AM
I'm excited to read that this truck will be produced in the USA.
With the economy in the doldrums, this production facility will be a blessing to so many who are out of work, especially those who used to work in the auto industry.
Posted by: Truck Bed Covers | December 21, 2008 at 05:08 PM
Excellent story, I just wonder when these will become mainstream.
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Posted by: Crane Trucks | May 14, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Great idea. But this will never take off. Deep down it seems people dont care, its human nature. Sadly.
Posted by: sarah | September 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM
zebra comforter set
Posted by: steven henry | September 14, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Awesome. Have they improved on the lithium technology?
Posted by: e cigarettes | February 12, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Never seen this one before. Really cool.
Your girl Mary :)
Posted by: E Cig | March 02, 2010 at 05:11 AM
Well done. It's about time to consider in the Earth's resources run out slowly and go for a serious revolution in transportation. Of course using electric trucks, it's not a perfect solution, but it's better to start from there than to do nothing.
Posted by: truck rental | March 15, 2010 at 05:43 PM
I'm also excited to read that this truck will be produced here!
James
Posted by: construction equipment rentals | April 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM
That's a brilliant idea to launch electric truck..this will help in controlling pollution to a great extent.Good post!!
Posted by: GK Scott | June 24, 2010 at 04:54 AM
Nice Truck but we must keep our future green & pollution free!
Posted by: electronic cigarette | June 24, 2010 at 03:39 PM
Really Great Idea. It will help in save our resources and make our environment eco-friendly. But the problem will be to produce the battery which could get load of such heavy trucks.
Posted by: Max Furniture | July 01, 2010 at 05:35 AM
That's very good. It's about time to consider in the Earth's resources run out slowly and go for a serious revolution in transportation. Of course using electric trucks, it's not a perfect solution.
Posted by: GK Scott | July 08, 2010 at 05:44 AM
The only problem is energy density-- 160W/kg, vs 1300W/kg for NiMh or LiFePO4, so you need lots of battery to get the needed power. The Smith truck batteries must be about 800kg for the 4 modules.
Posted by: Frieght Broker | July 17, 2010 at 07:28 AM
It will help in save our resources and make our environment eco-friendly. But the problem will be to produce the battery which could get load of such heavy trucks. That's a brilliant idea to launch electric truck.
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Hey, just dropping in to say thanks for the excellent information!
Being from FL, i had by no means utilized tire chains before. We didn't exactly get much snow down there! Very first time I ever needed them was when I moved out to Cali. I do not know why I moved out there within the middle of winter, wasn't exactly a smart concept. It had by no means even occured to me that I might require tire chains once I got closer to California and had to cross over the mountains. Once I got closer to CA and started heading up into the mountains, I observed that everyone ahead of me was pulling over. Then I saw everybody putting their snow chains on. Of course becoming from FL I didn't even have any with me, so I had to buy some off a guy right there on the side of the road.
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Thanks for the post!
I grew up in Florida so I had by no means even seen tire chains until I made the move out to California. I'm still not certain what I was thinking moving within the middle of winter! It had never even occured to me that I may require tire chains once I got closer to California and had to cross more than the mountains. When I got there all the traffic was slowing down and everybody was pulling more than, I had no concept what was going on. Everybody was out digging in their trunks and getting their tire chains out. I didn’t have any obviously, but fortunately there were vendors selling and installing them correct there on the side from the road!
Posted by: John Deere Tire Chains | July 22, 2010 at 08:49 PM
It's about time to consider in the Earth's resources run out slowly and go for a serious revolution in transportation. Of course using electric trucks, it's not a perfect solution, but it's better to start from there than to do nothing.
Posted by: Internet Marketing Company | July 29, 2010 at 04:47 AM
The Smith truck batteries must be about 800kg for the 4 modules. If they could make them for ~$100/kWh, then the battery cost would be <$10K-- not bad at all.
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Posted by: waterproof boots | August 22, 2010 at 06:02 AM
They will have to be kept plugged in when not in use to keep the batteries from getting too cold (restoring them after a freeze could take a few days
Posted by: reverse phone detective | September 02, 2010 at 12:54 PM
fourth biggest maker of powered access platforms, under the UpRight and Snorkel brands, many of which are produced in the US. Many of those are electric too. The share price of Tanfield (London ticker TAN) has climbed sevenfold in the past year.
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finally an eco-friendly truck!! but does it have the same mileage as with diesel powered trucks?
Posted by: how to track a cell phone | December 29, 2010 at 04:56 AM
It's about time car companies start making eco-friendly trucks. This would be a great help in reducing our green house.
Posted by: cell phone locator | January 13, 2011 at 06:25 PM
this move will help in cutting US green house emission. Hopefully similar moves will be done by China and Russia
Posted by: Internet Marketing Chicago | January 27, 2011 at 09:21 PM
Great article. I think hybrid/ green commercial trucks are a perfect place to adapt the technology because they are so frequently used, not to mention one of the biggest polluters on the planet.
Keep up the informative writing
Posted by: used bucket trucks | January 31, 2011 at 04:24 PM
True, it's about time our car manufacturers start making hybrid and electric cars.
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Nice facility. Those type of vehicles can handle the job better.
Posted by: arizona limousine | February 09, 2011 at 02:42 AM
this is something to watch for hopefully within 10 years all diesel fueled vehicles will be obsolete
Posted by: Dog Walking | February 15, 2011 at 08:55 PM
Great post! These machines are awesome! I love what we can do to save energy..
Thanks
Posted by: Diesel Repair | February 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM
It's really a great information.Today's many automaker concentrate on electric vehicles. Which has been more advantage and very comfort than regular vehicles.Because electric vehicles is Eco-friendly.It's really a great vehicle.Thanks for sharing this nice information.
Posted by: used mack trucks | March 03, 2011 at 07:28 AM
thanks for sharing this one!! hopefully diesel cars in the near future will be obsolete
Posted by: social media consultant | March 03, 2011 at 09:31 PM
hopefully this will replace all diesel fueled trucks
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this could be the solution to the looming oil crisis! hopefully this will get the necessary support and be in production as soon as possible
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I like the idea of an electric truck used by companies in the US.
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Posted by: phone location | March 30, 2011 at 11:09 PM
this is an eco-friendly truck but can it match the performance of diesel powered trucks?
Posted by: android cell phone apps | April 02, 2011 at 06:12 AM
this is a new concept but i don't see any real world application for this
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i think smithelectricvehicles are not only unique but also environment friendly. Really Great Idea. It will help in save our resources and make our environment eco-friendly.
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